b. 1889 d. 1973
Site Affiliation: Chesterwood
Margaret French Cresson grew up in NYC and at Chesterwood, where her father often used her as a model. As a young adult, she was at the center of the Stockbridge social scene, and hosted many parties in the Studio. She married William Penn Cresson in 1921. She attended art school in New York and took sculpture lessons with her father, showing a talent for portraiture. Upon inheriting Chesterwood in 1939, Margaret continued her sculpture career while also devoting the rest of her life to preserving Chesterwood and honoring her father’s legacy.
Primary Medium: Sculpture
Primary Stylistic Term: Beaux-arts sculpture in the classical tradition; American Renaissance period
HAHS Affiliations: Margaret’s father was Daniel Chester French.
Recommended Publications: Journey Into Fame by Margaret French Cresson (2018)