Voting Station

E. Berry Wall

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Socialite

The Resume

    (1860-May 5, 1940)
    Born in Manhattan, New York
    E. is short for Evander
    Nickname was 'King of the Dudes'
    High society New York City staple know for his extravagant and flamboyant attire
    Owned a wardrobe of over 500 complete changes of clothing (including lavender spats) and over 5,000 neckties
    Reported to have changed attire at least six times a day
    Moved to Paris in 1912
    Wrote the 1940 book 'Neither Pest Nor Puritan: The Memoirs of E. Berry Wall'
    Died in Monte Carlo, Monaco at age 79

Why he might be annoying:

    He never 'worked' for any of the money he enjoyed spending - his father and grandfather gave him $1 million each when he turned 18, and his mother tied up additional assets in a trust fund.
    He gambled to excess.
    Some of the euphemisms used to describe him included 'dandy' and 'grand old swell.'
    He caused a brouhaha in the 1880s by showing up to a ball in a dinner jacket (tuxedo) rather than a tailcoat, and was promptly escorted from the event.
    He bounced a check to one of his tailors in 1885, sullying his reputation.
    During the blizzard of 1888, he had a fashion battle with Robert 'Bob' Hilliard called 'Battle of the Dudes,' both of whom claimed victory (nothing like fighting over attire while a killer storm rages).
    He declared bankruptcy in 1899, citing bad investments.
    His reasoning for moving to Paris was 'New York had become fit only for businessmen.'
    Royalty was amongst his circle of friends, and he referred to the ex-king Nicholas of Montenegro as a 'magnificent old darling.'
    He bought fancy attire for his pet chows (always named either Chi Chi or Toi Toi).

Why he might not be annoying:

    He may have been the first 'party animal' and spent his inheritance on things that made him happy.
    He owned his first race horse at age 16.
    He once won a wager with John 'Bet a Million' Gates in Saratoga, NY, betting he couldn't change his attire 40 times between breakfast and dinner (doing so and showing up impeccably dressed at the ballroom of the United States Hotel to collect his winnings).
    Years after his 'tuxedo scandal,' wearing a dinner jacket to social functions became the norm, so in a sense he was ahead of his time.
    Unlike classic dude Beau Brummell, he wanted his suits to be filled with color, stating, 'People should wear what suits them.'
    Having survived bankruptcy and moving to Paris, he enjoyed his social lifestyle anew in a different city, where he became just as popular as in his New York heyday.
    He was reported to be an excellent dancer.
    He and his wife spent every night dining out, rarely coming home before daybreak, and he 'never drank water, only champagne.'
    He had no use for physicians, claiming, 'There are more old drunkards than there are old doctors.'
    He timed his death well, with just $12,608 left in his coffers, having 'squandered nearly every cent on pleasure.'
    He noted in his memoirs (published after his death), 'I keep reminding myself as I draw nearer my last great duty, the obligation upon me to thank the God I believe in for the gift of life.'

Credit: Scar Tactics


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 12 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 6 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 12 Votes: 58.33% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 20 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 15 Votes: 53.33% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 15 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 9 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 33 Votes: 42.42% Annoying