Sydney Biddle Barrows

Sydney Biddle Barrows (born January 14, 1952), also known as the Mayflower Madam, was a modern American madam. After her escort service was exposed and disbanded, she gained worldwide notoriety, in part because she was part of the upper-class Biddle family of Philadelphia and was a Mayflower descendent. During her years as a madam, she went under the alias of Sheila Devin.

Related Topics:
January 14 - 1952 - Escort service - Biddle family - Mayflower

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After a short career in fashion, she was introduced to the world of high-class prostitution and founded her own escort service named Cachet, which existed in New York City from 1979 to 1984. Unlike other escort agencies, Cachet offered an unparalelled service at the time, catering to the wealthy and powerful who either visited or lived in New York City. Some of its clients included industrialists, high-powered business executives and lawyers, foreign diplomats and Arabian oil sheiks. Devin was well-known for treating her "girls" with respect and dignity while also maintaining strict codes of conduct to preserve high standards and a reputation for outstanding service with elegance. In October 1984, her escort service was shut down and she was charged with Promoting Prostitution by the New York City District Attorney's Office. After her exoneration, she published a best-selling autobiography, Mayflower Madam, which later became a film of the same name starring Candice Bergen. She has written two subsequent books on modern sexual etiquette and, as of 2004, lives in New York City.

Related Topics:
New York City - Candice Bergen - As of 2004

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