William Ellis Corey
William Ellis Corey | |
|---|---|
Corey in 1922 | |
| 2nd President of U.S. Steel | |
| In office 1903–1911 | |
| Preceded by | Charles M. Schwab |
| Succeeded by | James A. Farrell Sr. |
| President of the Carnegie Steel Company | |
| In office 1901–1903 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 4, 1866 |
| Died | May 11, 1934 (aged 68) Manhattan, New York City, US |
| Spouse(s) |
Laura Cook (m. 1883–1906) |
| Signature | |
William Ellis Corey (May 4, 1866 – May 11, 1934) was an American business executive. He was president of the Carnegie Steel Company from 1901 to 1903, and was president of the U.S. Steel from 1903 to 1911.
Biography
Corey was born on May 4, 1866, in Braddock, Pennsylvania,[1] the son of merchant Alfred A. Corey.[2] He originally worked as a wheelbarrow pusher for a foundry.[3] By age 16, he worked as an assistant at the Edgar Thomson Steel Works. He then transferred to Homestead Steel Works, rising its ranks and becoming the superindentent. From 1901 to 1903, he was president of the Carnegie Steel Company, and from 1903 to 1911, was president of U.S. Steel.[2]
On December 1883, he married Laura Cook,[4] whom he met when she worked for his family.[5] They married before she became an adult, and together, they had one son, Allan L. Corey.[6] In 1906, Laura filed for divorce in Reno, Nevada, charging that William had deserted her in May 1903[4] or August 1905.[6][7] Laura was awarded custody of Allan[8] and a settlement of $3,000,000 (approximately $104,989,000 today).[9] He had an affair with actress Mabelle Gilman, who he married[10] on May 14, 1907.[11] They divorced by 1924, though Corey attempted to reconcile their relationship by traveling to Paris to meet her.[12]
The city of Fairfield, Alabama was originally named for Corey in 1910, by the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company (TCI), which built the city as a model city for workers at the company's nearby Fairfield Works. The negative publicity from Corey's divorce prompted U.S. Steel to rename the city for the company president's hometown in Connecticut.[13]
In 1911, Corey resigned his position as president of U.S. Steel.[1]
Corey died on May 11, 1934, aged 68, in Manhattan,[14] from pneumonia and atherosclerosis.[2]
References
- ^ a b "Corey Resigns: Steel Corporation to Do Without a President, Has Served Seven Year". The Citizen (Honesdale, Pennsylvania). January 6, 1911. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
- ^ a b c "W. E. Corey Dies. Headed U.S. Steel. One Of 'Carnegie's Boys,' He Rose in 21 Years To Highest Paid Place In Country. Second To Head Concern. Improved Armor-plate Process. Chairman Of Midvale Steel at Retirement". New York Times. May 12, 1934.
- ^ "Corey, Wheelbarrow Pusher". Farm Folks. December 21, 1905. p. 8. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ a b "Mrs. Corey Gets Decree". Sidney Daily News. July 31, 1906. p. 1. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ "The Coreys - A Story of Love That Fled When Poverty Fled". The Spokane Press. December 27, 1905. p. 4. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
- ^ a b "W. E. Corey Meets His Former Wife and Son". San Francisco Call. January 5, 1908. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ^ "One "Captain of Industry"". The Commoner (Lincoln, Nebraska). June 22, 1906. p. 3. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
- ^ "Wife of Millionaire Steel King Given Divorce Decree: Mrs. Wm. E. Corey Secures Separation from Husband in Nevada - No Contest Made". Perrysburg (OH), Journal. August 3, 1906. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
- ^ "Divorce Costs Steel King Corey $3,000,000". The San Francisco Call. August 1, 2006. p. 1. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
- ^ "Mrs. Astor and The Gilded Age: April 2008". mrsastor.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2008. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
- ^ "Former Actress and Steel King Wed in New York". The San Francisco Call. May 14, 1907. p. 10. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
- ^ "The Price That a Man Will Pay For Love". Press-Telegram. January 27, 1924. p. 55. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ Maloney, Christopher. ""Fairfield"". Encyclopedia of Alabama. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
- ^ "Corey Family Society: Famous/Prominent Corys". Retrieved September 22, 2013.