100 Heroes: Monroe Wheeler

Monroe Wheeler was an American publisher and museum coordinator.

Life

Wheeler was born in Evanston, Illinois in 1899. He met Glenway Wescott in 1919 - the two men were together for the rest of their lives. In the 1920s, Wheeler was working in Germany and France.

With an inheritance from his family, Wheeler bought a small printing press, and with Barbara Harrison, established Harrison of Paris, specialising in limited-edition books; they published in total thirteen books, including two works by Wheeler’s partner, Glenway Wescott. In 1934 they moved the press to New York City.

In 1935 Wheeler was employed by New York’s Museum of Modern Art. He was on the Library Committee and was soon promoted to Director of Publications. In 1940, MOMA created the role of Director of Exhibitions and Wheeler was the first person to hold the post. In 1944 he became one of MOMA’s Trustees and later he sat on the Executive Committee, the Exhibitions Program Committee, and also the Coordination Committee.

The men

Wheeler met Glenway Wescott in 1919 - the two men were together for the rest of their lives.

For over ten years, photographer George Platt Lynes had a relationship with Wheeler and Glenway Wescott.

Another of Wheeler’s lovers was Christian William Miller.

Death

Wheeler died in New York City in 1988. His ashes were buried with Wescott, who had died a year earlier.