By Alyssa Hirkaler | Staff Writer
Salve Regina University is honored to have Dr. Maureen Montgomery hold the first position in the McGinty Distinguished Chair, named after John E. McGinty, a former trustee of Salve. This semester, Dr. Montgomery taught a one credit course titled “Gilded Age Newport”, where students learned what and who influenced Gilded Age Newport by listening to Dr. Montgomery’s lectures and by visiting Newport mansions.
Dr. Montgomery worked at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand for twenty-eight years. She has published three books, including “Gilded Prostitution: Status, Money and Transatlantic Marriages, 1870-1914”, which served as her PhD topic, and which students also used as a textbook in her class. Dr. Montgomery applied for the McGinty position about a year ago and was overjoyed to move to Newport.
On October 30, students and intrigued members of the community gathered at the Casino Theatre to listen to Dr. Montgomery’s lecture, “From Ochre Court to Downton Abbey: Transatlantic Marriages and the British Peerage”. With the current hype about the hit British television series, Dr. Montgomery thought it would be interesting to relate her studies to the popular show, which proved to be a hit, based on the crowded Theatre.
“We are delighted that Salve enticed such a distinguished scholar from halfway around the world; Professor Montgomery strengthens the university’s expertise in 19th century America and adds a refreshing international point of view,” said Sally McGinty, Mr. McGinty’s widow.
