Richard Upjohn

Richard Upjohn was a prominent British-born American architect celebrated as a leading figure in the Gothic Revival movement in the United States. His prolific career, which began after his emigration to the United States in 1829, was defined by ecclesiastical designs that profoundly shaped the landscape of American religious architecture. He is also renowned as the founder and first president of the American Institute of Architects, an organization that established professional standards for the field. His legacy endures through his influential buildings and his role in professionalizing architecture in America.

Early life and education

Born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, he was the son of a cabinetmaker and showed an early aptitude for design and craftsmanship. He received a practical education, serving an apprenticeship with a builder and cabinetmaker, which provided him with a thorough understanding of construction and joinery. Seeking greater opportunity, he emigrated to the United States in 1829, initially settling in New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he worked as a draftsman and carpenter. His early projects in Massachusetts included designing houses and shop fronts, which helped him establish a reputation before moving to Boston to further his architectural pursuits.

Architectural career

His architectural career ascended significantly after his relocation to New York City in 1839. He gained immediate acclaim for his design of Trinity Church on Wall Street, a commission that established him as a master of the Gothic Revival style. This success led to numerous commissions for Episcopal churches across the country, including notable projects like St. Mary's Church in Burlington, New Jersey. He published the influential pattern book "Upjohn's Rural Architecture" in 1852, which disseminated his designs for smaller churches and homes to a national audience. His practice also expanded to include commercial structures and institutional buildings, such as the Corn Exchange Bank Building in New York City.

Notable works

His most iconic work remains Trinity Church in Manhattan, completed in 1846, which is considered a masterpiece of American Gothic Revival and a National Historic Landmark. Other significant ecclesiastical designs include the addition of the spire and interior renovations at King's Chapel in Boston, and St. Paul's Cathedral in Buffalo, New York. Beyond churches, his notable commissions encompassed the Edward King House in Newport, Rhode Island, the Bowdoin College chapel and library in Brunswick, Maine, and the Church of the Holy Communion in Manhattan. His design for the Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford, Connecticut, though later modified by other architects, was initially his conception.

Professional affiliations and legacy

In 1857, he co-founded the American Institute of Architects, serving as its first president until 1876, and was instrumental in drafting its code of ethics and professional standards. His leadership helped elevate architecture from a trade to a recognized profession in the United States. His architectural philosophy, emphasizing structural honesty, historical fidelity, and fine craftsmanship, influenced a generation of architects, including his son Richard Michell Upjohn. Many of his buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, preserving his contribution to American cultural heritage. The AIA Gold Medal, awarded posthumously in 1973, recognized his enduring impact on the profession.

Personal life and death

He married Elizabeth Parry in England before his emigration, and they had several children, including his architectural successor Richard Michell Upjohn. He was a devout member of the Episcopal Church, and his faith deeply informed his architectural work. In his later years, he lived and worked from his estate in Garrison, New York, overlooking the Hudson River. He passed away at his home in Garrison, New York in 1878 and was interred in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, a site that features funerary monuments he designed.

Category:American architects Category:Gothic Revival architects Category:1802 births Category:1878 deaths