Alice B. Toklas

Alice B. Toklas (1877–1967) was an American avant-garde figure in early 20th-century Paris and the life partner of writer Gertrude Stein. Born in San Francisco, she moved to Paris in 1907, where she met Stein. Together, they hosted a salon that attracted notable artists and writers. Toklas became known for her culinary skills, famously including a recipe for “Hashish Fudge” in her cookbook, blending culinary arts with literary and cultural contributions.

Early Life and Relationship with Gertrude Stein:

• Born in San Francisco to a middle-class Polish Jewish family
• Family moved to Seattle in 1890
• Educated in local schools and studied piano at the University of Washington
• Met Gertrude Stein in Paris in 1907
• Acted as Stein’s confidante, lover, cook, and muse
• Hosted a salon for expatriate American writers and avant-garde painters
• Background figure until the publication of ‘The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas’

Life After Gertrude Stein’s Death:

• Inherited much of Gertrude Stein’s estate but faced legal challenges
• Relied on contributions and writing for income
• Published ‘The Alice B. Toklas Cookbook’ in 1954
• Released second cookbook ‘Aromas and Flavors of Past and Present’ in 1958
• Converted to Catholicism in 1957

Legacy and Recognition:

• Referenced in the 1968 film ‘I Love You, Alice B. Toklas’
• Ice cream flavor named after her in Santa Cruz
• Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club founded in 1971
• Portrayed in films and television series
• Block in San Francisco named Alice B. Toklas Place in her honor

Contributions and References:

• Various books and articles written about Alice B. Toklas
• Adaptations of her works in films and short films
• Legacy maintained through organizations and tributes
• Contributions to literature and LGBTQ rights movement
• Buried next to Gertrude Stein in Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris

Further Reading and External Links:

• Books like ‘Two Lives (Gertrude and Alice)’ and ‘The Biography of Alice B. Toklas’
• Resources in libraries about Alice B. Toklas
• Biography and LGBT portals related to her legacy
• Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas Collection at Yale University
• Online resources and books by Alice B. Toklas

Alice B. Toklas Data Sources