Vintage Celebrity Weddings: Amelia Earhart + George Putnam

Portrait of NY publicist George Palmer Putnam and his wife, Amelia Earhart, c. 1930s in the Purdue University archives. Photo is in the public domain. by Angela Magnotti Andrews In 1928, George Putnam embarked on the adventure of a love that was as wild and wonderful as any excursion into the unknown. Already a seasoned explorer, Mr. Putnam had seen for himself the pristine shores of Greenland and Baffin Island. He had written three books on his travels and one about the tale of S.A. Andree's tragic hot air balloon excursion to the North Pole. He honed his editorial skills on books written by Charles Lindbergh, Rear Admiral Byrd, and Captain Bob Bartlett. Adventure ran through his veins, and as he made the transition from publishing to public relations, he naturally gravitated toward what would become one of the most famous flights in history. In June of 1928, Mr. Putnam managed and directed the transatlantic flight of the Friendship, piloted by Wilmer Stultz, with Lou Gordon serving as mechanic. For publicity, he arranged for a new acquaintance, Miss Amelia Earhart, to ride as a passenger. The flight's success swiftly launched Mr. Putnam and Miss Earhart into closer contact, as they worked closely on her book, 20 Hrs. 40 Min. By the end of that summer, Dorothy Putnam had grown very fond of Amelia despite suspicions that her husband was falling in love with the young aviatrix. Indeed, she was somewhat relieved having set her sights on her son's tutor a whole year prior {6}. Though their divorce was highly publicized, riddled with no small amount of scandal, the Putnams seem to have parted amicably the following year. Between 1929 and 1931, Mr. Putnam proposed marriage to Amelia Earhart six times before the reluctant heroine finally agreed. Her terms were tough, but fair:

1. We must allow each other the privilege to fall in love with someone else if the opportunity presents itself.
2. We must not "interfere with the others' work or play" {7}
3. The world must not be allowed to "see our private joys or disagreements" {7}
4. I must be allowed my own separate space, "for I cannot guarantee to endure at all times the confinement of even an attractive cage" {7}
5. Happiness is paramount: "I must exact a cruel promise and that is you will let me go in a year if we find no happiness together" {7}

Mr. Putnam gladly accepted her counter-proposal, and the two were married in a private family ceremony at his mother's home in Noank, Connecticut, on February 7, 1931. According to the New York Times, "As Mr. Putnam slipped a plain platinum ring on Miss Earhart's finger cats, coal black and playful, rubbed arched backs against his ankles" {1}. Not even the post mistress in Noank knew there was a wedding taking place nearby, and Mr. Putnam's mother was kept in the dark as to where the couple spent their first nights as man and wife. They returned to the public eye the following Monday, and their romance has been one of the most celebrated in history ever since.

Bibliography

1. "Amelia Earhart Weds G.P. Putnam," New York Times, February 7, 1931.
2. Davey, Helen. "Horizons Unlimited: True Stories of Trauma and Triumph," Huff Post: Books, The Blog, January 25, 2013. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/helen-davey/horizons-unlimited-true-s_b_2547695.html.
3. Forney Museum Newsletters. "Amelia Earhart (1897-1937)." Accessed January 22, 2014. http://www.forneymuseum.org/News_AmeliaEarhart_2.html.
4. Hess, Amanda. "Amelia Earhart's Surprisingly Modern Prenup," Slate: The XX Factor Blog, December 11, 2012. http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2012/12/11/amelia_earhart_s_marriage_prenup_i_won_t_be_faithful_i_won_t_stop_working.html.
5. Jones, Victoria Garrett. Amelia Earhart: A Life in Flight. New York: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc., 2009.
6. Chapman, Sally Putnam. Whistled Like a Bird: The Untold Story of Dorothy Putnam, George Putnam, and Amelia Earhart. New York: Warner Books, Inc., 1997.
7. Usher, Sean, ed. "You must know again my reluctance to marry," Letters of Note, April 1, 2010. http://www.lettersofnote.com/2010/04/you-must-know-again-my-reluctance-to.html.
8. World History Project. "Amelia Earhart marries George Putnam." Accessed January 22, 2014. http://worldhistoryproject.org/1931/2/7/amelia-earhart-marries-george-putnam.