Laura Nelson Kirkwood was born on February 14, 1883, in Kansas City. She was the only child of William Rockhill and Ida Houston Nelson. She attended the Barstow School in Kansas City, Miss Emerson's School in Boston, and spent two years at a school in Paris. She was supposed to have met her future husband, Irwin Kirkwood, at a polo match in Kansas City. They were married November 10, 1910 in New York City. Mrs. Kirkwood shared many of her father's interests, and, after his death in 1915, she and her husband made certain that his projects continued. For example, Mr. Kirkwood was actively involved with the operation of Sni-A-Bar Farm, and he served as managing editor of the Kansas City Star while she managed the money. She died suddenly in Baltimore in 1926. Her will provided for the construction of a gallery of art bearing her father's name and for the purchase of art.
From the description of Laura Nelson Kirkwood collection, 1922-1944. (Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art). WorldCat record id: 499190405
