Born in 1904, Natalie Hays Hammond spent most of her early years living in Washington, D.C. She was the daughter of John Hays Hammond, a financially successful engineer who made his fortune working for Cecil Rhodes as his chief mining engineer. She grew up leading the wealthy and privileged life of a socialite and her childhood residence was the mansion which now houses the French Embassy.

Hammond was a world traveler, spoke both medieval and modern French, and during her lifetime amassed a collection of 20,000 books and documents on art, philosophy, English and French history. She was a member of many organizations including the Royal Miniature Society of London, the Japan Society, the American Union of Decoratwww.childsgallery.com/artist.php...