Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-05-09
LADY GEDDES ADMITS PRIDE
IN AMERICA, HER NATIVE LAND
Wife of New British Ambassador. Now II
Washington, Claims Dual Nationality.
Absorbed in Husbands Career.

Lady Geddes. wife of the new Brit
ish ambassador. Sir Auckland Geddes.
is a lady of accomplishments. In the
past fourteen years she has lived in
five different countries, and has cross
ed the ocean twenty times. And. yet,
when her steamer pulled into New
York harbor a short time ago. she adj
mits that the sight Of the statue of
Liberty gave her the same old thrill,
bringing back happy recollections OF
former home comings.
For Lady Geddes is a native New
Yorker, having been born at Dobbs
Ferry and brought up at Livingston.
Staten Island. She was Miss Isabella
Gamble Ross, third daughter OF MT.
and mother were Irish. and at the
time of her birth were not naturalized
American citizens, but later became
So A brother, Percy H. Ross, now
lives in New York city. and is presi,
dent of the firm of w. A. Ross G.
Bro.
Lady Geddes went to school at
Windsor. Nova Scotia. and then to the
Masters School at Dobbs. The Misses
Masters were great friends OF ner
family, and when the Roses moved to
Staten Island. their old home was
a part of their school.
Return to Native Heath.
/. Sd Iadf Geddes' coming to America
as the chatelaine of the British en-
bassv is in reality return TO her
native heath, and while she has lived
abroad long enough to acquire ue
cided English accent ana 10 claim
dual nationality" she is nevertne-
less proud of Americas hold upon
her. -.
With an American bringing up
.ona ia therefore not surprised to hnd
Lady Geddes thoroughly democratic
with a simplicity and charm OF man
ner that bespeak for her an easy CON
Guest Of social and official Washing
TON Tall and slender. with brown
hair knotted low on her neck. anu
ewes of Irish blue. she appeared de-
cidedly girlish as. dressed In SIM
nile silk gown, she stood in the sun
hooded. chintz-hung drawing room OF
the embassy on recent occasion.
When one entered the room
glimpse was obtained on her. bend
ing over a tall vase of flowers which
she was rearranging.. just IKE any
other woman who had moved into
new house and was eager 10 stamp
And that is what Lady Geddes proved
to be-just like any other woman
az she sat on one Of the big embassy
couchesl for a few minutes chat.
"I have hardly unpacked, she said.
land so have not had time to get my
bearings. But l know / am going to
like Washington. It is such clean,
beautiful city, with its broad ave-
nues. hower-fi1led circles and parks
and its pubic buildings. And I do SO
love to meet new people that l shall
find it all very interesting, and not
tire Of my. official duties.
Naturally, am absorbed IN my
husbands career and do everything
/ can to keep him "fit." but we never
talk shop. Rather do I aid him In
dropping his official burdens and ind
ing change and recreation in his
home life and in outdoor sports. Of
which we are both very fond.
Reveals Domestic Side.
AS Lady Geddes talked of her hus-
band and children she showed high
ly developed domestic side. and while
she has kept abreast of the times and
is cultivated and well read. it Is easy
to see that she is first and foremost
wife and mother. and that nothing
has ever been allowed to interfere
with her home duties.
With a proud smile. she brought
from a nearby table an interesting
photograph of herself taken with the
Ave youngsters. four boys and girl.
ranging from three years to twelve
and a half. She explained that they
were an international family"-Ross.
aged twelve and a half. having been
born in Edinburgh: Alexander and
Peggy. aged nine and half and
seven, respectively, in Dublin; John,