1.JamesGroverThurber, born 8 December 1894 in Columbus, OH; died 2 November 1961 in New York, NY. He was the son of 2. CharlesLeanderThurber and 3. MaryA.Fisher. He married (1) AltheaAdams 20 May 1922 in Columbus, OH. She was born 28 April 1901 in New York, NY, and died 6 July 1986. She was the daughter of Paul Adams and Maude Gregory. He married (2) HelenMurielWismer 25 June 1935 in Colebrook, CT. She was born 26 June 1902, and died 22 December 1986.
Notes for James Grover Thurber:
James Grover Thurber was one of the great American humorists of the twentieth century. He is remembered for his stories in the "New Yorker" in the 1930s and 1940s, as well as his books. Among his best known books are his classic memoir, "My Life and Hard Times," "The Thurber Carnival," and his first book, "Is Sex Necessary?" (co-authored with E. B. White). After several surgeries in 1941, Thurber, at the height of his success, went blind.
Thurber collapsed after attending the Broadway opening of a Noel Coward musical on 3 October 1961. He underwent brain surgery the next day to remove a large blood filled tumor. Thurber lapsed into a coma and never regained full consciousness. He died 2 November 1961. His wife, Helen, had his remains cremated and buried in Columbus Ohio in the Fisher family area of Green Lawn cemetery near his parents and maternal grandparents. Thurber had once described that location as a place where "my once bickering, but now silent, family occupies a good square mile of space."
James had a longstanding relationship with Ann (Honey) Honeycutt, and although he talked of marriage, when he got his divorce from Althea, Honey "chickened out. She is quoted as saying - "We never had sex together, and Jim always blamed me for that. But for a half-dozen years I had more fun with Jim Thurber than I'd ever had with anyone in my whole life."
It was at a party at her apartment in 1930 that he first met Helen Muriel Wismer, the woman who would become his second wife. In late 1933, James escorted Honeycutt to a party at the apartment of a friend. There she met St. Clair McKelway and was immediately taken with him.
Shortly before James's divorce was final, he wrote to Honey to let her know. She informed James that McKelway was still "In the picture" and had said something to her that prevented her from giving James the answer he desired. Although she did not specify just what was said, James understood. A day or two after his divorce from Althea, he met Helen Wismer for an after-work drink and promptly proposed. Helen excused herself and went to the ladies room to collect herself before returning to accept the proposal. She knew he was marrying her on the rebound, and admitted to Honey that it was the planning of Honey's and Mac's wedding that was responsible for the proposal. The marriage of James and Helen took place a month to the day after his divorce from Althea.
Marriage Notes for James Thurber and Althea Adams:
James and Althea were married at Episcopal Trinity Church. They honeymooned in Washington, D.C. and New York. Althea and James were divorced May 25, 1935.
