Anne Simon

Born Anne Rebe Wertheim in 1914, Anne W. Simon was an American writer and environmental advocate. She hailed from a prominent family, being the daughter of banker Maurice Wertheim and granddaughter of Ambassador Henry Morgenthau Sr. Her sisters included author Barbara W. Tuchman. Simon pursued higher education, earning degrees from Smith College and Columbia University. She began her professional life in media, working for radio station WNYC and as a television critic for The Nation. Her writing career expanded to include articles for magazines like McCall's and Good Housekeeping.

Simon authored several books that addressed significant societal and environmental concerns. Her early work, 'Stepchild in the Family,' explored the complexities of remarriage from personal experience. Later, she turned her attention to environmental issues, documenting the challenges faced by Martha's Vineyard in 'No Island Is an Island.' Her commitment to environmentalism continued with 'The Thin Edge,' focusing on coastal erosion, and 'Neptune's Revenge,' which critically examined marine pollution and overfishing. She passed away on July 29, 1996, in Manhattan.

Anne W. Simon was born Anne Rebe Wertheim in 1914. Her upbringing was within an ethnically Jewish family, and she was the daughter of Alma (née Morgenthau) and Maurice Wertheim, a banker. Her maternal grandfather was the notable Ambassador Henry Morgenthau Sr. She was also related to her sister, Barbara W. Tuchman, a renowned author. Simon received a strong educational foundation, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Smith College in 1935, followed by a Master of Arts in Social Work from Columbia University.

Simon's career began in broadcasting and journalism. She worked for WNYC, a New York radio station, and later served as a television critic for The Nation. Her writing extended to popular publications such as McCall's and Good Housekeeping. Her literary output included books that tackled both social and environmental themes. 'Stepchild in the Family' (1964) drew on her experiences with blended families. Her later works focused on pressing environmental issues, including 'No Island Is an Island' (1973), which addressed environmental degradation on Martha's Vineyard, and 'The Thin Edge' (1978), concerning coastal health. 'Neptune's Revenge' (1984) offered a critical look at the impact of human activities on the oceans.

In her personal life, Anne W. Simon was married three times. Her first marriage was to Dr. Louis Langman, with whom she had four children: Thomas, Betsy, Lynn, and Deborah. Her second marriage was to real estate developer Robert E. Simon. Her third marriage was to Walter Werner. She was a mother and grandmother, with her children marrying into notable families. Simon died at her home in Manhattan on July 29, 1996.