Sarah Josephine Meredith Langstaff
Sarah Josephine Meredith Langstaff | |
|---|---|
 Langstaff in coronation dress in 1911 | |
| President of the Daughters of the British Empire | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 14, 1849 |
| Died | June 20, 1933 (aged 84) Stony Brook, New York, U.S. |
| Spouse | John Elliot Langstaff |
| Children | 2 |
| Occupation | socialite |
Sarah Josephine Meredith Langstaff (April 14, 1849 – June 20, 1933) was a Canadian-American socialite. She was the founder and president of the Daughters of the British Empire and an honorary president of the Needlework Guild of America.
Early life
Langstaff was born on April 14, 1849, to English parents, in St. Catherines, Ontario.[1] She was adopted as an infant by Bridgewater Meredith, a graduate of Magdalen College, Oxford, and his American wife, Caroline Arnold.[1] She grew up in New Jersey, where her adopted mother was from.[1]
Society and civic activities
Langstaff was a socialite who was active in New York society and charitable events.[2] Inspired by the Canadian organization Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire, Langstaff established a service organization in New York for women of British heritage in 1909 called the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire in the United States of America.[3] She established the first chapter, "King Edward VII", on March 15, 1909.[3][1] In 1911, she received a special royal invitation to attend the Coronation of George V and Mary. [4] Langstaff was the only American to receive an invitation to the coronation by royal intimation.[4]
Langstaff was an honorary president of the Needlework Guild of America.[5]
Personal life and death
In 1883, she married John Elliot Langstaff, a Canadian physician, and settled in New York City.[6] They had two sons, J. Brett Langstaff and B. Meredith Langstaff.[6] She was the grandmother of military officer and singer John Langstaff.
She died in 1933.[5]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Sarah J. M. Langstaff". Daughters of the British Empire. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
- ↑ "MIDWINTER SOCIAL BRILLIANCE; Many Travelers Starting for Milder Climes -- Vaudeville for Charity on Wednesday at the Plaza -- Keen Interest in Annual Charity Ball on Feb. 5 -- Gayeties for Younger Set Continue". The New York Times. New York, New York. January 25, 1914. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
- 1 2 "More Than a Century of Sisterhood, Heritage, and Volunteering Thanks To Sarah J. M. Langstaff". Daughters of the British Empire. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
- 1 2 "Mrs. John Elliott Langstaff of Brooklyn, N.Y. who will witness the coronation of King George of England by special invitation". Colorado Spring Gazette. Colorado Springs, Colorado. May 8, 1911. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
- 1 2 "Notable Woman Dies". Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California. June 21, 1933. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
- 1 2 "DR. J. E. LANGSTAFF, PHYSICIAN 5O YEARS; Inventor of Operating-Room Equipment Is Dead -- Started Brooklyn Practice in '84". The New York Times. New York, New York. January 17, 1948. Retrieved August 21, 2026.