Shreve Family Genealogy & History

Anita Hale Shreve was a renowned American novelist, celebrated for her novels like "The Pilot's Wife" and "The Weight of Water," which garnered international acclaim and were adapted into films. Her career highlights include winning the O. Henry Prize for "Past the Island, Drifting" in 1976 and being featured in Oprah Winfrey's Book Club in 1999. Shreve's storytelling, often marked by tragedy, captivated readers worldwide, selling millions of copies and influencing contemporary literature. As a teacher and journalist, she left an indelible mark on the literary world.

Born in Boston, Anita Shreve was the eldest of three daughters to Richard Harold Shreve, a Delta Air Lines pilot turned trompe l'oeil painter, and Bibiana Kennedy, a homemaker. She grew up in Dedham, Massachusetts, and attended Dedham High School and Tufts University, where she was a member of Chi Omega.

Henry Miller Shreve was a pioneering American inventor and steamboat captain known for revolutionizing river navigation and steamboat design. He successfully removed obstructions from major rivers like the Mississippi and Ohio, significantly improving trade routes. Shreve played a crucial role in breaking the Fulton-Livingston steamboat monopoly on the lower Mississippi, and his innovations, such as independent side paddlewheel boilers, were groundbreaking. As the first riverboat captain to navigate the Ohio and Mississippi to New Orleans, Shreve's contributions to the steamboat industry and river commerce were instrumental, with Shreveport, Louisiana, named in his honor.

Born on October 21, 1785, in Burlington County, New Jersey, Henry Shreve was the son of Israel Shreve, a Quaker farmer and Revolutionary War colonel, and Mary Cokely. The family relocated to Pennsylvania, settling near the Youghiogheny River. After his father's death in 1799, young Henry worked on riverboats to support his family, marking the beginning of his illustrious career in river navigation.

Chasen Dean Shreve, born on July 12, 1990, is a seasoned American professional baseball pitcher currently in the Atlanta Braves organization. Throughout his career, Shreve has notably played for major teams like the New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets, Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds, and Colorado Rockies. Initially drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 11th round of the 2010 MLB Draft, Shreve's career highlights include a standout performance in 2015 with the Yankees, ending that season with a 6-2 record and a 3.09 ERA. Known for his pitching velocity and adaptability, Shreve has consistently contributed to his teams as a reliable relief pitcher.

Richmond Harold Shreve was a prominent Canadian-American architect renowned for his pivotal role in shaping iconic structures. Born on June 25, 1877, Shreve's illustrious career includes serving as the president of the American Institute of Architects from 1941 to 1943. His firm, Shreve, Lamb and Harmon, spearheaded the construction of the Empire State Building and several Cornell University buildings. Additionally, Shreve was the lead architect for the Williamsburg Houses in Brooklyn and the Parkchester community in the Bronx. His contributions to architecture earned him a place among the 100 Most Notable Cornellians.

Richmond Shreve was born in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, to Richmond Shreve, an Anglican priest, and Mary Catherine Parker Hocken. His family background grounded him in a tradition of service and education, influencing his later achievements.