Samuel Ward McAllister an American socialite known for coining the phrase "the Four Hundred", believing that there are only four hundred people in fashionable New York society, and maintains the elite list. He serves as Mrs. Astor's right-hand man and his chief business and pleasure in life is to help her guard the gates to high society. Bertha Russell becomes interested in having McAllister helping open doors for her in the city.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Season 1[]
Episode 5[]
Ward makes his first appearance in Season 1, Episode 5 "Charity Has Two Functions".
Mr. McAllister accepts an invitation to lunch from Aurora Fane, and joins her husband Charles and her relative, Marian Brook, for lunch. Tom Raikes is also in attendance, as well as Bertha Russell. The lunch has been arranged by Aurora Fane so that Berha can be let into the events of "old money" society, and Ward McAllister is eager to hear the gossip that Bertha has about her husband's expansive railroad company. He notes to Bertha that she has a great mansion and a French chef, but that her guest list is not what she would like it to be, and that he can help her improve it.[1]
- ↑ The Gilded Age, season 1 episode 5: "Charity Has Two Functions"