The Book, Cat, & Cat Book Lovers Almanac

of historical trivia regarding books, cats, and other animals. Actually this blog has evolved so that it is described better as a blog about cats in history and culture. And we take as a theme the advice of Aldous Huxley: If you want to be a writer, get some cats. Don't forget to see the archived articles linked at the bottom of the page.

December 11, 2011

December 11, 1988

Nica Koenigswarter (December 10, 1913 to November 30, 1988)  is remembered as the Jazz Baroness. Born a Rothschild, she married Baron Jules de Koenigswarter (1904-1995) on 15 October 1935. Their marriage did not last, but the money did. Nica Koenigswarter would help many jazz musicians including Charlie Parker and Theolonius Monk. Her home in Weehawken, New Jersey was a haven for not just hep cats, but cat cats: she sheltered 300 of the latter. According to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography her "funeral was held on 11 December at St Peter's Lutheran Church, New York-known as the 'jazz church'-and in accordance with her request her ashes were scattered on the Hudson River, 'round midnight'."

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