Skip to main content

Wilhelm, Claire, 1898-1984

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1898 - 1984

Biographical History

Claire Wilhelm (1898-1984) was the sister of artist Lillian Wilhelm Smith and companion to Western author Zane Grey.

Claire Wilhelm was born on July 20, 1898 in New Jersey to Henry T. and Leonore Wilhelm. She was the youngest of seven children, the oldest of which was the artist Lillian Wilhelm Smith. She was the cousin of Lina Elise Grey, wife of Western novelist Zane Grey. She accompanied Zane Grey on various fishing and camping expeditions beginning in 1914. In 1918, Grey's attentions turned to other women and Wilhelm found herself estranged from him. She married Phillips Carlin in June 1921.

In 1924, Grey began inviting Wilhelm to accompany him once again after Wilhelm sustained serious injuries in a car accident. She entered into Grey's employ as a secretary when her marriage began to fail. After nine months with Grey, Wilhelm finally parted ways with him and returned to New York City where she resolved the strains in her marriage. She had two daughters, Virginia and Patricia, and gave up travelling to raise them, however, she continued to correspond with Zane and Lina Elise Grey for many years afterward.

Claire Wilhelm died on January 15, 1984 in Branford, Connecticut.

Citation:
Claire Wilhelm collection on Zane Grey, approximately 1900-1956 (Claire Wilhelm, born July 20, 1898 in New Jersey, sister of artist Lillian Wilhelm Smith, cousin of Lina Elise Grey-wife of Western novelist Zane Grey, accompanied Zane Grey on various fishing and camping expeditions 1914-1918, married Phillips Carlin, secretary to Zane Grey 1924, died January 15, 1984 in Branford, Connecticut)

Ancestry.com, November 21, 2013 (Claire E. Carlin; b. Jul. 20, 1898, New Jersey; d. Jan. 15, 1984, Branford, Connecticut; two daughters, Virginia and Patricia)

FamilySearch, November 21, 2013 (parents, Henry T. and Leonore Wilhelm)

Zane Grey: His Life, His Adventures, His Women, 2005: p. 156 (Claire Wilhelm; youngest of seven children; younger sister of Lillian Wilhelm Smith), p. 119 (cousin of Lina Elise Grey), p. 171 (accompanied Zane Grey on various expeditions from 1914), p. 193 (Wilhelm estranged from Zane, 1918; married Phillips Carlin, June 1921), p. 243 (accompanied Grey in 1924 after car accident; became a secretary) p. 251 (returned to New York City and fixed marriage)

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Claire Wilhelm collection on Zane Grey property, 1915-1921

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 8277 Series 1 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

This subseries contains photographs and postcards of the home in Zanesville, Ohio where Zane Grey was born, and the Lackawaxen River, Pennsylvania from 1915 to 1921.

Dates: 1915-1921