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Richard Morris Hunt
"The Dean of American Architecture"
b. Brattleboro, VT, October 31, 1827
d. Newport, RI, July 31, 1895
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35 year association with Newport, considered a summer resident.
Arrived in Newport in 1860, his brother William Morris Hunt (1824-1879)
had been living here for a few years.
William is generally credited with introducing and popularizing the influence
of Barbizon painters into the United States. William maintained a
residence at "Hilltop".
Summer of 1860, Richard became acquainted with Catherine Clinton Howland,
at Oaklawn Estate (northeast corner of Narragansett avenue and Spring street).
The following year they were married.
First significant commission in Newport: the Griswold house (1861-1864)
is now known as the Newport Art Museum. While this house was being
built, Hunt purchased the "Hilltop" estate from his brother.
Notable Newport works include: Belcourt Castle, The Breakers, additions
to Chateau-Sur-Mer, the Hypoteneuse, Marble House, Ochre Court.
Lesser known are: the Thomas Gold Appleton House (no longer exists, current
site of #41 Catherine street), the Belmont tomb at Island Cemetery, an
addition to Levi P. morton's "Fairlawn" (southeast corner of Bellevue and
Ruggles Avenue) and Indian Spring/Busk house (Newport's last abandoned
mansion, part of Van Allen estate).
Not feeling well, confined in his room for two weeks, dies unexpectedly
at "Hilltop".
Funeral held at Trinity Church, attended by many prominent people.
"Hilltop" no longer stands - present day site of Hotel Viking.
Lies resting in Island Cemetery, gravestone reads:
"Laborare Est Orare" (work is prayer).
Considered one the most influential architects of his time in U.S.
Born into wealthy Vermont family; father was a U.S. Congressman.
Graduate of Boston Lation School (1843); first American to attend Ecole
des Beaux-Arts (1846).
First Secretary of the American Institute of Architects: the first American
to be awarded a gold medal by the Royal Institute of British Architects;
first American Architect to have monument erected in his honor.
National works include: the Biltmore House and the base of the Statue of
Liberty.
His work at the time was not always appreciated because his clientele were
considered a bunch of "robber barons" who liked things in excess.
Bibliography
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