Chicago diarist, socialite and philanthropist.

Catherine Eddy Beveridge was born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 29, 1881. She was the daughter of Augustus Eddy, a businessman from a prominent ministerial family, and Abby Spencer Eddy, whose father Franklin Fayette Spencer founded a successful hardware company. Catherine had one brother, Spencer Fayette Eddy, born in 1873.

Growing up, Catherine was highly influenced by her mother, Abby Eddy, and her aunt, Abby's sister Delia Caton Field. Both women were social leaders in their native Chicago and wished to see Catherine take on a similar role upon reaching adulthood. Her mother and aunt saw to it that Catherine received an education appropriate for a girl of her station, including studies in literature, history, and foreign languages. Catherine also traveled extensively in Europe and developed an appreciation for architecture, painting and music. Through her brother Spencer's diplomatic connections, Catherine was offered entree into the European social world and was presented at the Court of St. James in London in 1898, at the age of sixteen. In 1900, she was formally introduced to Chicago society, and spent the next few years participating in Chicago's social seasons and traveling with family and friends. The years 1902-1908 are described in detail in Catherine's diary.

Abby and Delia were hopeful that Catherine would find an appropriately wealthy and cultured husband among the European aristocracy, but during a 1904 visit to Washington D.C. Catherine met Albert J. Beveridge, a forty-two year old Republican Senator from Indiana. Despite the misgivings of Abby and Delia, Catherine continued to see Albert throughout the next few years, and their romance deepened. In August of 1907, Albert traveled to Berlin where Catherine was staying and the two were married. The couple had two children, Albert Jr., born in 1908, and Abby, born in 1910. After Albert's Senate term ended in 1910, the family divided their time between Indianapolis and Beverly Farms, Massachusetts.

After Albert's death in 1927, Catherine devoted her time to philanthropic activities and keeping in contact with family and friends. She was an especially generous benefactor to art museums, including the National Gallery in Washington, the Art Institute in Boston, the Herron Art Institute in Indianapolis, and the Chicago Art Institute. She died on May 28, 1970.

In 2005, Catherine's grandson, Albert J. Beveridge III, published The Chronicle of Catherine Eddy Beveridge with Chicago writer Susan Radomsky. The book reprints Catherine's diary and includes a personal introduction and afterward written by Albert J. Beveridge III, as well as a detailed family history and index of persons mentioned in the diary.