Elihu B. Frost

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Elihu B. Frost was an American lawyer[1] with an early involvement in the submarine industry. In 1893 the United States Congress funded a $200,000 prize for submarine construction, and Frost lent John Philip Holland the funds he needed to participate in this prize contest; Frost and Holland were finally awarded the prize money in 1895. Frost became secretary-treasurer and later president of Holland's firm, which was first named the John P. Holland Torpedo Boat Company and later the Holland Submarine Company.[2] When Isaac Rice formed the Electric Boat Company (the predecessor of General Dynamics) to build Holland's submarine designs, Frost became the company's vice-president, secretary, and chief financial officer.

Frost married and divorced twice, as was prominently reported in the newspapers of the time.[3][4][5][6][7][8] When he died on August 22, 1925, he left his estate to a female friend (later determined to be his fiancée), cutting off his relatives.[9][10]

[edit] References

  1. ^ “The Bar Association”, New York Times, March 11, 1891, <http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9800E2D71F3BE533A25752C1A9659C94609ED7CF> . Describes the election of Frost and 16 others to the New York Bar Association.
  2. ^ Morris, Richard Knowles (1998), John P. Holland, 1841-1914: Inventor of the Modern Submarine, University of South Carolina Press, ISBN 157003236X .
  3. ^ “Mrs. Frost Asks Divorce; Wife of President of Holland Submarine Company Files Suit in Nevada”, New York Times, December 3, 1909, <http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F06EFDD1438E033A25750C0A9649D946897D6CF> .
  4. ^ “Mrs. Marie Frost Divorced; Decree Granted to Her Behind Closed Doors in Reno”, New York Times, December 20, 1909, <http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9804E2D61630E733A25753C2A9649D946897D6CF> .
  5. ^ “E.B. Frost Married Again; Prominent Attorney, Divorced, Wed Rosalind Harrington June 18”, New York Times, June 29, 1915, <http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9C07E7D6123FE233A2575AC2A9609C946496D6CF> .
  6. ^ “E.B. Frosts Posts Wife; Hearing on Divorce Application Announced in Atlantic City”, New York Times, January 22, 1920, <http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9804E2D91F38E533A25751C2A9679C946195D6CF> .
  7. ^ “Frost, Suing Wife, Names Man in Case; George Hassan Is Revealed as Co-respondent in Corporation Lawyer's Divorce Action. Hotel Meeting Charged; Young Defendant Is Second Wife of Former Head of Holland Launch Company”, New York Times, January 23, 1920, <http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F02E2D81F38E533A25750C2A9679C946195D6CF> .
  8. ^ “Mrs. Frost Files Answer; Alleges Cruelty Against Husband and Names Co-respondents”, New York Times, February 13, 1920, <http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9C06E3DE103BEE32A25750C1A9649C946195D6CF> .
  9. ^ “Elihu Frost Estate Left to a Woman; Submarine Builder Made Mrs. Helen Evans Beneficiary; Cut Off Relatives. Disposition to be Fought – Contestants Engage Six Law Firms – Incompetency and Undue Influence Charged”, New York Times, October 25, 1925, <http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40710F83F5D13738DDDAC0A94D8415B858EF1D3> .
  10. ^ “Bulk of Frost Estate Goes to his Fiancée; Mrs. Helen E. Evans Received $345,337 Under Will of Late Corporation Lawyer”, New York Times, December 16, 1926, <http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00B1EFE3C591B7A93C4A81789D95F428285F9> .

[edit] External links

  • Biography on U.S. Navy web site
  • [1] Elihu B. Frost is acknowledged on Electric Boat/General Dynamics web site