Known as "Beautiful Gwinthlean," described as having "majestic height and carriage, classical head and features." Her grandfather, John Whistler, built Fort Dearborn in Chicago. Her father, William, was involved in the military for over 60 years. Her first cousin, James McNeil Whistler, painted a portrait of his mother, Gwinthlean's aunt, that is known today as "Whistler's Mother." Charles Dickens once described Gwinthlean as "the handsomest woman I have met in America."