Charles Franklin Torrey (1858-1927)

Born at Livorno in Tuscany, Italy, to American parents. He graduated in law from Trinity College, Cambridge. In London, he became the managing agent for the Atlantic Transport Line organized by his close friend Bernard N. Baker and financed by his soon-to-be brother-in-law, Edward Berwind. He sat on several boards and was Commissioner of Taxes for the City of London. He was Chairman of Frederick Leyland & Co., and of the London General Shipowner's Society. When his brother-in-law, Edward Berwind, died, aside from Berwind's unmarried sister, Julia, the other principal beneficiary of his immense estate (valued at some $34 million) was Charles' wife, Margaret. Margaret grew up at her family's ancestral home, Heacham Hall in Norfolk, and the Torreys kept a weekend house, Mill House, on the estate, otherwise living in London. When Charles died, his obituary recalled that he, "possessed a distinctive manner of extreme courtesy". He and Margaret were the parents of 3-sons: Gerald, Eustace, and Eric.