Wikipedia

Julius A. Schweinfurth

Julius Adolphe Schweinfurth (September 20, 1858 – September 29, 1931) was an American architect, artist, and designer.

Julius Adolphe Schweinfurth
FAIA
BornSeptember 20, 1858
Auburn, New York
DiedSeptember 29, 1931 (1931-09-30) (aged 73)
Wellesley, Massachusetts
OccupationArchitect
Spouse
Fannie Bellows
​
(m. 1889)​
ChildrenCharles Schweinfurth
Buildings
Burial placeWalnut Hills Cemetery
Relatives

Biography

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Julius Adolphe Schweinfurth was born September 20, 1858, in Auburn, New York to German immigrants Charles J. Schweinfurth and Katherine Ammon. His brothers A. C. Schweinfurth and Charles F. Schweinfurth were also architects and his grandfather was Georg August Schweinfurth was a botanist and African explorer.[1] Schweinfurth's father was an engineer and studied at the Stuttgart Polytechnic Institute before immigrating to America in the 1850s.[2]

Schweinfurth attended Auburn Academic High School and graduated in 1876. Afterwards, Schweinfurth moved to Boston, Massachusetts in 1879 and worked for the architectural firm of Peabody and Stearns.[2]

In 1883, Schweinfurth partnered with his brother Charles in Cleveland, Ohio. The two remained partners until 1885 when Schweinfurth left to tour Europe for nine months. He studied in England, Spain, Italy, and France in addition to museums such as the South Kingston Museum in London.[3] Upon his return to the United States in 1886, Schweinfurth rejoined Peabody and Stearns as chief designer.[2] A year later, he published a collection of his work from Europe titled Sketches Abroad.[4]

In 1895, Schweinfurth left Peabody and Stearns to start his own practice. His private practice lasted 33 years until he retired in 1928. He designed over 70 buildings during this period.[2] He also entered numerous design competitions such as for the American Fine Arts Society (1891),[5] the Minnesota Statehouse (1895), and the Boston Athenæum (1902).[3]

In addition to his architectural work, Schweinfurth was a skilled graphic designer, drawer, and watercolorist. He designed a cover for Francis Parkman's The Oregon Trail.[6]

In 1925, Schweinfurth was elected Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.[7] He was also active in the Boston Society of Architects.

Family and death

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In 1889, Schweinfurth married Fannie Bellows of Boston. In 1890, Charles Schweinfurth, their son and only child, was born. Schweinfurth died September 29, 1931, at his home in Wellesley, Massachusetts. He was buried at Walnut Hills Cemetery in Brookline, Massachusetts.[1][8]

Schweinfurth founded the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn, New York. Northeastern University now holds the primary collection of Schweinfurth's work.[3]

Selected works

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Architectural works

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Design works

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Julius A. Schweinfurth, Boston Architect, Dies". The Boston Globe. September 29, 1931. p. 19.
  2. ^ a b c d "Julius A. Schweinfurth". Schweinfurth Art Center. Spring 2021. Archived from the original on November 26, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d O'Gorman, James F. (1989). On the Boards: Drawings by Nineteenth–Century Boston Architects. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. pp. 132–135. ISBN 0-8122-8170-5.
  4. ^ Schweinfurth, Julius A. (1888). Sketches Abroad. Boston: Ticknor and Co. hdl:2027/gri.ark:/13960/t0kt3k593 – via HathiTrust.
  5. ^ "Index to Illustrations". The Engineering Magazine. X. New York: The Engineering Magazine Co.: 511 1896 – via Internet Archive.
  6. ^ White, Gleeson, ed. (1896). Bookbindings, Old and New. London: George Bell & Sons. p. 229.
  7. ^ "Election of Fellows". The American Architect. CXXVII (2471). The Architectural & Building Press, Inc.: 405 May 6, 1925 – via Internet Archive.
  8. ^ "Funeral Tomorrow of Julius A. Schweinfurth". The Boston Globe. September 30, 1931. p. 8.
  9. ^ "HONORS FOR JOHN HANCOCK.; Unveiling of a Memorial Shaft Above the Patriot's Tomb". The New York Times. September 11, 1896. p. 5.
  10. ^ A History of Brookline, Massachusetts. Brookline, Massachusetts: The Brookline Press Company. 1906. pp. 193–194.
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