Background
Beale was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and grew up in Montgomery, Alabama. He was the grandson of John D. Phelan (1809-1879), an Alabama Speaker of the House and Alabama Supreme Court Justice.
Beale was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and grew up in Montgomery, Alabama. He was the grandson of John D. Phelan (1809-1879), an Alabama Speaker of the House and Alabama Supreme Court Justice.
Beale graduated from the University of the South in 1902 and from Columbia University Law School in 1905.
Beale is probably best remembered as the absent father chronicled in the Grey Gardens saga portrayed in a 1975 movie documentary, 2006 Broadway musical, and 2009 Home Box Office Film, all of which were named for his home in East Hampton, New New York He formed the law practice of Bouvier and Beale with Jacqueline Onassis"s grandfather, "Major" John Vernou Bouvier, Junior.