Emily was the daughter of prominent New York City businessman John Wheeler Leavitt and his wife Cecilia. She was the aunt of artist Cecilia Beaux, whose mother died due to complications from childbirth. Cecilia and her sister were sent to live with Emily, her sister Eliza, and mother, who provided the girls with the love and nurturing that they needed. As Cecilia and her sister grew up it is said that they came to emulate these imaginative and resourceful women who were gifted musicians, artists, and seamstresses. Emily married William Foster Biddle in January 1860. Emily gave the Beaux sisters their early home schooling and always looked after them. By this time Emily's father's business fortunes had turned badly and they struggled to get by. Her husband William became successful in coming years, and was able to provide Cecilia and her sister much needed stability and security. Cecilia later cited William along with her grandmother Leavitt as the two most important figures in shaping her life.
Emily was the daughter of prominent New York City businessman John Wheeler Leavitt and his wife Cecilia. She was the aunt of artist Cecilia Beaux, whose mother died due to complications from childbirth. Cecilia and her sister were sent to live with Emily, her sister Eliza, and mother, who provided the girls with the love and nurturing that they needed. As Cecilia and her sister grew up it is said that they came to emulate these imaginative and resourceful women who were gifted musicians, artists, and seamstresses. Emily married William Foster Biddle in January 1860. Emily gave the Beaux sisters their early home schooling and always looked after them. By this time Emily's father's business fortunes had turned badly and they struggled to get by. Her husband William became successful in coming years, and was able to provide Cecilia and her sister much needed stability and security. Cecilia later cited William along with her grandmother Leavitt as the two most important figures in shaping her life.
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