Evening star., 1949-08-30
Melville B. Grosvenor,
Geographic Magazine
Aide, Asks Divorce

Melville Bell Grosvenor. son o.
Gilbert Grosvenor. president OF the
National Geographic Society, has
filed suit in the Montgomery
County Circuit Court for an abso.
lutte divorce from his wife, Heller
Rowland Grosvenor.
Mr.. Grosvenor. who is an assist
ant editor of the National Geo.
graphic Magazine, gave neglect
cruel and inhuman treatment ane
failure to conduct herself as
wife" as grounds for the divorce.
Mr.. Grosvenor is the grandson
of Alexander Graham Bell.
He gave his address as 600 Gros'
venor lane, Bethesda. and that Of
his wife as 3031 Sedgwiek street
NV. He said he and his wife
have been separated since Febru.
ary 16, l948.
Charges Hampering of Career.
In the suit. Mr.. Grosvenor sale
he was married January 4. 1924
in Waterbury, Conn.,, and tha1
throughout his married life, Mrs
Grosvenor has continuously ham
pered him in his career.
He claimed his wife's treatment
of him forced him to undergo
medical care at Emergency Hos
pital, Washington. and Sheppard
Pratt Hospital. Towson. Md, from
February to April, 194S.
Mr.. Grosvenor stated in the suit
that he made four trips to Europe
with his wife between 1924 anc
1887 and that during the trips
his wife made every effort to
hamper. harass and deride" his
assignments for the National
Geographic Magazine.
In 1888. Mr.. Grosvenor said, he
sent his wife to Europe alone lr
the hope the trip would bring
about a reconciliation OF theil
differences. When she returned
however, Mr.. Grosvenor said, she
treated him las a stranger"
Cites Wife's Income.
The same condition existed after
she returned from a trip abroad
in 1889, according to Mr.. Grosve-
nor.
He added that Mrs. Grosvenol
received an income of from $1,000
to $4,000 year after her mother
died in February, 1916, and tina,
her attitude toward him after
that date became entirely un-
bearable."
AS a result of his wife's attitude
Mr.. Grosvenor said, he has been
advised by physicians that a re-
turn to his wife and their living
conditions prior to their separa-
ton last year would permanently
impair his physical and mental
health.
The Grosvenors have three chill
dren, Mrs. Robert c. Watson. jr.,
%: Alexander Graham Bell Gros-
venor, 81, and Gilbert Melville
Grosvenor, 18.
Property Agreement Made.
Attached to the suit was a
property agreement between Mr..
Grosvenor and his wife in which
he had pledged himself to pay
s400 monthly to his wife, until
his death or her remarriage. be-
tween August and December. 1948,
and $500 monthly beginning IN
January, 1949.
The agreement provided that
the income from a $4,000 life in
surance policy should be paid to
his wife in the event of his death
In the event of her remarriage. or
death, the proceeds of the policy
shall be divided into three equal
shares and paid to the children
Mrs. Grosvenor was given Gus
tody of Gilbert and Mr.. Grosvenor
agreed to pay for his sons support
and education until Gilbert COM
pletes his college education.
Mrs. Grosvenor agreed that her
husband shall become sole owner
of all furniture and other personal
property at their Gibson Island
home and of certain paintings
rugs, china, silver. furniture and
books at their home at 2901 Wood
land drive NV. Mr.. Grosveno1
agreed to convey title to the house
to his wife, who was to assume
the mortgage on it.
Mr.. Grosvenor was represented
by Attorneys Elisha Hanson, Ar
thur B. Hanson and Joseph A
Cantrell.