Miles Morgan, one of the original members of the board of the American Friends of Blérancourt, passed away on August 19th, 2024 at the age of 95.
MILES MORGAN honored with the 2024 Medaille d'Or de la Renaissance Française at the residence of the Ambassador of France to the United States ON HIS 95TH BIRTHDAY
Born in 1928, Miles Morgan was the grandnephew of the daughter of JP Morgan, Anne Morgan, who organized relief efforts during and after World War I from the Château de Blérancourt, north of Paris in France, and launched the humanitarian organization, The American Committee for Devastated France, composed of American women volunteers.
Miles was a fervent supporter and passionate friend of the museum, established in 1924 in Blérancourt to honor Anne Morgan and promote Franco-American friendship. He was known for his elegance, knowledge of art, people, travel, and determination to share Anne Morgan's legacy with everyone.
Last July, Miles made a surprise visit to the Château de Blérancourt to join a group of museum friends celebrating its 100th centennial. He admired the new photograph gallery featuring his great-aunt and an exhibition about Westerns Films. Miles engaged in conversations with the museum director, Rodolphe Rapetti, and the curator, Valérie Lagier, and later explored the park and gardens before having lunch with Dorothea de La Houssaye and Franck Laverdin, the President and Chairman of the American Friends of Blérancourt. They were joined by Didi D'Anglejan, who co-founded the American Friends of Blérancourt with Eugenie Angles.
Miles Morgan, Georges d'Harcourt, Valérie Lagier, Didi d'Anglejan, Franck Laverdin, Dorothea de la Houssaye, Laurence Douvin, and Angie Mizeur | July 10, 2024
Dorothea de La Houssaye explains that "Miles was the last living witness to Anne Morgan. He played a vital role on the scientific committee for the Museum when it was being rebuilt and inaugurated in 2016."
Franck Laverdin adds that "the government of France recognized his contribution to the Franco-American friendship and history, awarding him the Légion d’Honneur and the rank of Officier in the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. These high honors recognize Miles' extraordinary commitment to Blérancourt, France, and its language, which he spoke fluently."
His involvement with the American Friends of Blérancourt was extensive, as he tirelessly traveled around the United States with former American Friends of Blérancourt director Elaine Leary. "Miles and I toured the Anne Morgan photo exhibition in 18 cities nationwide to promote the Museum of Blérancourt. His knowledge and humorous storytelling ability about his great Aunt made every opening event unforgettable," Leary recalls.
Elaine Leary and Miles Morgan, At the residence of the Ambassador of France to the United States
Miles' life was exceptional; aside from New York, he made France, Italy, and Florida his other homes and had a successful professional life as a musician, composer, conductor, artistic director, and impresario.
American Friends of Blérancourt board member Jamie Gérard remembers Miles as "a true gentleman in every sense of the word. He was also a Harvard classmate and lifelong friend of my late Uncle, John Train, who served on the AFB board for many years and died in August of 2022. There must have been something in the Harvard class of 1950 waters as, like Miles, John lived in Paris, Italy, and New York City and was also a renaissance man and co-founder of the Paris Review."
From left to right: Quincy Morgan, John Morgan, Connie Morgan, Rahna Morgan, Miles Morgan, Sonja Morgan, and Shoki Morgan | Consulate General of France | legion of Honor ceremony
“Miles was a man of the world who had a passion for music and history, of course, but more importantly, he cared deeply for people, especially the vulnerable,” says Sonja Tremont Morgan. "He was the one who invited me to join the American Friends of Blérancourt, and now it's up to all of us to carry on his legacy.”
Miles also suggested Sonja’s daughter Quincy Adams Morgan to create a junior committee at the American Friends of Blérancourt. “Miles was a wonderful uncle, exemplary creative, and knew how to live life well,” Quincy Morgan wrote to the American Friends of Blérancourt.
"Our friend Miles will be greatly missed," Laverdin says.
A tribute to Miles Morgan is planned on November 25th at the annual gala of the American Friends of Blérancourt at the Colony Club in New York, which Anne Morgan had co-founded.
Miles Morgan at the centenial of the Franco-American Museum at Château de Blérancourt | July 10, 2024
CHATEAU DE BLERANCOURT | JULY 10, 2024
