Walter de Curzon Poultney

Who is Walter de Curzon Poultney?

Walter de Curzon Poultney was one of Baltimore, Maryland's most colorful and flamboyant high-society members. He was prominent in Baltimore Society between the end of the American Civil War and the Roaring Twenties. He died shortly before the stock market crash of 1929. Born in 1845 on November 4th, he was a direct descendant of Ellen Moale North, the first white child born in the city of Baltimore. He was also the nephew of Philip E. Thomas, the first president of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.

"Sir Walter", as he was known to his intimates was well known around the world. He was considered an intimate friend of Cardinal James Gibbons of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. They would often be found strolling Charles Street near the Baltimore Basilica, the oldest Catholic cathedral in America. Poultney was also a close friend of Louisa Cavendish-Bentinck, otherwise known as Lady Strathmore, The great-grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II. Walter even sent Lady Strathmore's granddaughter a silver bowl as a wedding gift and received in return a "gracious and girlish letter" on the night before her marriage to the Duke of York.