Denies Her Reported Engagement to Dr. Hamilton Rice, the Explorer
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Special to The New York Times
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NEWPORT, Aug. 19---Mrs. George D. Widener made an emphatic denial today of her reported engagement to Dr. Hamilton Rice of Boston, the noted explorer, which was published in a New York newspaper. Dr. Rice has been a house guest of Mrs. Widener for several weeks.

According to the report, the formal announcement of the engagement would probably be made tomorrow night at the ball Mrs. Widener is to give at her new villa. It was also stated the wedding was to take place quietly on Aug. 28.

Mrs. Widener lost her husband and one of her sons in the Titanic disaster. She was Miss Eleanor Elkins, daughter of the late William L. Elkins, before her marriage. She owns a notable collection of pearls, one of the finest in the world. After her husband's death she rebuilt as a memorial to him St. Paul's Episcopal Church at Ogontz, which is near her home in suburban Philadelphia.

Dr. Rice has received many medals for his explorations, principally in South America, and has published works of his scientific achievements as an explorer.