Wooster Family Genealogy & History

Bertram Wilberforce Wooster, a fictional character from P. G. Wodehouse's comedic Jeeves series, is known for being an amiable English gentleman among the "idle rich." As the narrator of ten novels and over 30 short stories, Bertie is frequently saved from awkward situations by his valet, Jeeves, forming one of literature's great comic duos. First introduced in "Extricating Young Gussie" in 1915, Bertie appeared last in the 1974 novel, "Aunts Aren't Gentlemen." His stories are renowned for their humor, character interactions, and social satire, making Bertie Wooster a noteworthy figure in comedic literature.

Bertie Wooster was born in the same village as his friend Bingo Little. His father, who had numerous relatives, named him Wilberforce after winning money on a horse by that name. Bertie's father was a friend of Lord Wickhammersley of Twing Hall and had a friendly relationship with Bertie, who was reciting poems for guests at his mother's request as a child. Bertie eventually inherited a large fortune, although his parents' specific fate remains unclear.

The College of Wooster, founded in 1866 in Wooster, Ohio, is a renowned private liberal arts institution. Initially established as the University of Wooster by the Presbyterian Church, it became non-sectarian in 1969. With a focus on undergraduate education, the college is a member of the Five Colleges of Ohio and the Great Lakes Colleges Association. Wooster is known for its historic commitment to inclusivity, awarding its first Ph.D. to a woman in 1882 and admitting its first Black student in the same decade. The college maintains a vibrant Scottish heritage, featuring a Scottish pipe band and Highland dancers at events.

David Wooster was an American general renowned for his roles in the French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War. Born in Stratford, Connecticut, Wooster graduated from Yale College and quickly ascended military ranks. He was a captain in the British Army and later became a major general in the Connecticut militia, playing pivotal roles in the Siege of Louisbourg, the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, and the 1775 invasion of Quebec. Wooster's legacy includes his leadership during the Danbury raid, where he sustained fatal wounds, and his recognition as a "largely forgotten hero of the Revolution." His lasting influence is seen in cities and schools named in his honor.

David Wooster married Marie Clapp, the daughter of Yale's president, Thomas Clapp. They had four children, including a son, Thomas, who also served in the American Revolutionary War. Wooster's grandson, Charles Whiting Wooster, became the Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Navy, continuing the family's distinguished military tradition.

Louise Catharine Wooster, famously known as Lou Wooster, was a renowned madam in Birmingham, Alabama, celebrated for her humanitarian efforts during the 1873 cholera epidemic. Despite her career as a "lady of the evening," her compassionate care for the sick and dying endeared her to the community, leading to the establishment of the "Lou Wooster Public Health Award" in her honor. Wooster's business acumen saw her operating multiple brothels, yet she generously donated to charities and supported fallen women, earning her a legacy as a local hero.

Lou Wooster was born on June 12, 1842, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to William Wooster and Mary Chism Wooster. Her father's death in 1851 and subsequent family hardships left Lou orphaned in her teens, relying on relatives' mercy.