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The Showman, The Aviatrix, And The Secrets: 7 Shocking Facts About George Palmer Putnam, Amelia Earhart's Controversial Husband

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As of December 21, 2025, George Palmer Putnam remains one of the most enigmatic and controversial figures in 20th-century history, perpetually linked to the enduring mystery of his wife, the pioneering aviatrix Amelia Earhart. While often cast in the shadow of her legend, Putnam was a multifaceted powerhouse—a publisher who shaped American literature, an Arctic explorer, a Hollywood executive, and arguably the greatest publicist of his era. His life was a whirlwind of high-stakes ventures, from the boardrooms of New York to the remote canyons of the American West, culminating in a partnership that captivated the world and continues to spark debate to this day. Putnam was not merely a husband; he was the architect of the Amelia Earhart brand, a showman whose ambition and strategic promotion transformed a talented pilot into a global icon. Recent scholarship, particularly the new biography *The Aviator and the Showman*, has brought fresh scrutiny to their complex, sometimes tumultuous relationship, challenging the long-held narrative and revealing the intense pressures he placed on the world's most famous female flyer.

The Complete Biography of George Palmer Putnam (1887–1950)

George Palmer Putnam, the grandson of the original founder of the prestigious publishing house G. P. Putnam’s Sons, lived a life defined by relentless ambition and a constant pursuit of the next great adventure. His career spanned nearly every major form of media and exploration of the time.
  • Full Name: George Palmer Putnam II
  • Born: September 7, 1887, in Rye, Westchester, New York, United States.
  • Died: January 4, 1950, in Trona, California, at the age of 63.
  • Cause of Death: Uremic poisoning, after a month’s illness.
  • Occupations: Publisher, Writer, Author, Explorer, Publicist, Freelance Journalist, Military Officer, Hollywood Executive.
  • Notable Ancestry: Grandson of George Palmer Putnam (1814–1872), the founder of G. P. Putnam’s Sons.
  • Marriages:
    1. Dorothy Binney (m. 1911; div. 1929) – Daughter of Edwin Binney, co-owner of the company that created Crayola crayons.
    2. Amelia Earhart (m. February 7, 1931; her disappearance 1937) – Pioneering aviatrix.
    3. Jean-Marie Cosigny (m. 1939; div. 1941) – Writer.
    4. Thea L. Vissing (m. 1945).
  • Children: Two sons from his first marriage: George Palmer Putnam Jr. and David Binney Putnam.
  • Key Accomplishment: Orchestrated the 1928 transatlantic flight of Amelia Earhart, launching her career.

The Showman and the Aviatrix: A Tumultuous Partnership

The relationship between George Palmer Putnam and Amelia Earhart is the central narrative of his life and career, a decade-long saga of ambition, romance, and tragedy. Their connection began in 1928 when Putnam, a celebrated publisher, was tasked with finding the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean by airplane. He selected the then-unknown social worker and pilot, Amelia Earhart.

Six Proposals and a Conditional Marriage

Before their marriage on February 7, 1931, Putnam proposed to Earhart six times. Earhart, fiercely independent, finally agreed on the condition that their union would be an "equal partnership" with no "medieval code of faithfulness." She famously presented him with a letter outlining her terms, which included the freedom to separate if either of them found a better opportunity. This prenuptial agreement, radical for its time, underscored the unique and unconventional nature of their bond.

The Architect of the Earhart Brand

Putnam’s true genius lay in his role as a publicist and promoter. Following the 1928 flight, he masterfully managed her image, transforming her into a global icon. This included arranging extensive lecture tours, securing lucrative product endorsements (from luggage to cigarettes), and publishing her own account of the flight, *20 Hrs. 40 Min*. He leveraged his publishing connections at G. P. Putnam's Sons to ensure her stories reached the widest possible audience, cementing her status as "Lady Lindy."

The New Biography and the 'Pushed to the Brink' Claim

In recent years, the dynamic of their marriage has been re-examined, most notably in the biography *The Aviator and the Showman* by Laurie Gwen Shapiro. This work paints a more complicated picture, suggesting that Putnam's relentless promotional efforts and financial pressures may have pushed Earhart "to the brink." The book explores the theory that the pressure to maintain her celebrity status and embark on increasingly risky flights, like the ill-fated 1937 world flight, was partly driven by Putnam's need to keep the lucrative "Amelia Earhart" machine running. This modern analysis challenges the romanticized view, positioning Putnam as a complex figure whose ambition both created and possibly endangered his wife's legacy.

Beyond Earhart: Publishing, Exploration, and Hollywood

While his marriage to the aviatrix dominated his later life, George Palmer Putnam’s professional footprint was vast and extends far beyond his role as a publicist. His early career established him as a true adventurer and a formidable presence in the literary world.

A Legacy in Publishing and Literature

Putnam's connection to the publishing industry was generational. He was part of the family firm G. P. Putnam's Sons, which had a history spanning nearly two centuries and was responsible for publishing literary giants like Herman Melville and Edgar Allan Poe. Even after leaving the family firm, he remained active in the industry, serving as vice president of another publishing house, Brewer & Warren, from 1930 to 1932. His own writing career was prolific, encompassing biographies and non-fiction works about the American landscape. Notable Books Written by George Palmer Putnam:
  • *In The Oregon Country* (1915)
  • *Death Valley and its Country* (1946)
  • *Soaring Wings: A Biography of Amelia Earhart* (1939)

Arctic Expeditions and Desert Exploration

Putnam was a dedicated explorer in his own right, leading two major expeditions to the Arctic. In 1926, he led an Arctic expedition under the sponsorship of the American Geographical Society, demonstrating a passion for discovery that mirrored his wife's aerial pursuits. Later in life, he focused on the American West, writing extensively about the harsh and beautiful landscapes of the region, including his detailed work on Death Valley.

The Unexpected Move to Hollywood

In a surprising career pivot that underscores his showman nature, Putnam moved to California and became a major player in the nascent film industry. From 1932 onward, he served as the Chairman of the Editorial Board for Paramount Productions. This role involved overseeing the literary properties and stories that would be adapted into films, further cementing his influence across multiple forms of mass media and popular culture. His move to California also coincided with his final years, where he continued to write and manage the complex legacy he and Earhart had created. George Palmer Putnam’s life was a testament to the power of promotion and the allure of the American dream. He was a man who didn't just report on history; he actively manufactured it, turning a talented aviatrix into an eternal icon and carving out his own indelible, if controversial, place in the annals of exploration and media. Even decades after his death, the questions he helped create—especially surrounding the fate of Amelia Earhart—ensure that his name, and his story, will never truly fade.
george palmer putnam
george palmer putnam

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