At 92, George Palmer Putnam Jr., the son of eminent publisher George P. Putnam and the stepson of renowned pilot Amelia Earhart, died on August 31, 2013, in Boynton Beach, Florida. His life was molded by a confluence of extraordinary personal background, ties to aviation, and a prosperous economic career. Though most recognized as the stepson of Earhart, George Palmer Putnam Jr. lived a life full of personal successes and anecdotes, most of which centred on his part in the wake of Amelia Earhart’s unexplained disappearance.
Early Life and Family Background
Born 1921 to George P. Putnam and his first wife, Jean Marie Cosigny, George Palmer Putnam Jr. Growing born in a family with ties to both publishing and aviation, Putnam Jr.’s early years were surrounded with famous people and significant events. Renowned publisher and public relations specialist George P. Putnam, his father, most famously oversaw Amelia Earhart’s career. David Binney Putnam, a 1913 born brother of George Palmer Putnam Jr.,
The family’s reputation in the publishing and aviation spheres only grew after George Palmer Putnam Jr.’s mother and father split up and his father wed Amelia Earhart in 1931. Though Amelia Earhart’s marriage to George P. Putnam was not without controversy, particularly considering Earhart’s reluctance toward marriage because of her professional goals, their marriage finally became among the most well-known in the aviation scene.
George Palmer Putnam Jr.’s Father: George P. Putnam
George Palmer Putnam Jr. was the son of eminent American publisher and writer George P. Putnam, most known for his marriage to aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart. Born on September 7, 1887, in Rye, New York, George P. Putnam was the grandson of George Palmer Putnam, founder of the esteemed publishing house G.P. Putnam’s Sons. Being a well-known person in the publishing industry, George P. Putnam not only had success in his personal life but also actively helped to promote other renowned people and expeditions, including the pioneering career of Earhart. As George P. Putnam managed Amelia Earhart and subsequently became her husband in 1931, a partnership that lasted until her unexplained disappearance in 1937, their connection was both personal and business.
Born to George P. Putnam and his first wife, Dorothy Binney, George Palmer Putnam Jr. grew up in a home molded by the publishing empire of his grandfather and the considerable public relations and marketing activity of his father. George P. Putnam Jr. had a more secluded existence even though his father became well-known for his relationship to Amelia Earhart. David Binney Putnam was one of his one prominent siblings; although George P. Putnam’s association with Earhart dominated the family’s public image, George Jr. led a life somewhat apart from the spotlight. Given his father’s financial savvy and ties to well-known personalities forming the family’s legacy long after George P. Putnam’s death in 1950, George P. Putnam’s impact on his son was probably really notable.
The Stepson of Amelia Earhart
George Palmer Putnam Jr. was captivated as a young kid by the glory of Amelia Earhart. Being among the first women to fly alone across the Atlantic Ocean, Amelia Earhart’s popularity meant that George Palmer Putnam Jr. saw her profession and personal life from a different angle.
But George’s connection with Earhart was more than simply that of a stepson; it was one of someone living in the shadow of the turbulent and frequently public life of his well-known stepmother. Later on, George Palmer Putnam Jr. would remember the several questions he asked during his lifetime about the disappearance of his stepmother, who disappeared in 1937 while trying to round the earth. Earhart’s fate is unclear even after years of conjecture and conspiracy theories. Putnam Jr. was contacted often to discuss her legacy and disappearance.
Career and Later Life
Following the disappearance of his stepmother, George Palmer Putnam Jr. went on to lead a variegated life that resulted in his successful career as contractor and businessman. Moving to Florida, he gained recognition for his major contributions to the growth of Fort Pierce’s residences and businesses. His career proved evidence of his independence as he established himself outside from his well-known family ties.
Though surrounded with such historical legacy, George Palmer Putnam Jr. was not defined just by his family or renowned stepmother. Not insignificantly un their own right were his commercial sense and involvement in the real estate and building sectors.
George Palmer Putnam Jr. joined the U.S. Army in 1941 with the start of World War II and served as a captain in an intelligence unit. He was advanced to major by 1942. One of the several aspects of his life that proved his feeling of responsibility to his nation was his military service.
Later Years and Legacy
Particularly at Fort Pierce and Boynton Beach, George Palmer Putnam Jr. became a recognizable sight in the neighborhood throughout his senior years. The public and the media routinely contacted him about his stepmother, Amelia Earhart, and her unexplained disappearance. His graceful handling of such questions mirrored the calm dignity with which he governed his own life.
At 92, Putnam Jr. died in Boynton Beach on August 31, 2013. His son George Palmer Putnam III had passed away earlier, therefore preceding him in death. For those who had seen the early years of Earhart’s career and the mystery about her disappearance, his passing signalled the end of an era.
He left behind a legacy as a businessman and as someone who had experienced one of the most lasting riddles of flying. Those who knew him valued his contributions to his community and his family’s place in American history; many lamented his death not only because of his family’s link to Amelia Earhart but also for his own autonomous legacy.
Conclusion
Though the shadow of his well-known stepmother Amelia Earhart defines his life, it was one of success in its own right. From his military service during World War II to his profession in real estate, George Palmer Putnam Jr. lived a life characterized by resiliency, autonomy, and a strong sense of obligation. His narrative is one of quiet courage in the face of public curiosity about his well-known stepmother, but also of personal success and community commitment that made him a recognized person in his own right.
