Delano, William Adams, 1874-1960

Architect and president of the Art Commission of the City of New York.

From the description of William Adams Delano papers, 1947-1954. (New York University). WorldCat record id: 476977441

American architect.

From the description of Reminiscences : and other papers, 1909-1960. (Boston Athenaeum). WorldCat record id: 14402669

Architect.

From the description of Reminiscences of William Adams Delano : oral history, 1950. (Columbia University In the City of New York). WorldCat record id: 309732669

From the description of Reminiscences of William Adams Delano : oral history, 1950. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122362023

William Adams Delano: architect; from 1903-1910 taught at Columbia University; in 1903 founded Delano and Aldrich in New York City; from 1924-1946 employed by U.S. government (1929-1946 as architectural representative on the National Park and Planning Commission); designed buildings for Yale University, La Guardia and Idlewild Airports, Japanese Embassy in Washington, D. C., and others; designed plan for renovation of the White House.

From the description of William Adams Delano papers, 1902-1960 (inclusive), 1939-1960 (bulk). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702153425

William Adams Delano was born in New York City in 1874 and was educated in architecture at Yale and Columbia University. He joined the prominent New York-based architectural firm Carrère & Hastings, where he first met Chester Aldrich. In 1903, Delano opened a private practice in New York City with Aldrich, and the firm of Delano & Aldrich became largely known for its significant designs of Beaux-Arts-style country houses, cultural institutions, commercial, and civic buildings throughout the East Coast. After the partnership ended, Delano continued to practice through the late 1950s. He died in New York in 1960.

From the description of William A. Delano scrapbook, 1895-1959. (Columbia University In the City of New York). WorldCat record id: 299031078

From the guide to the William A. Delano scrapbook, 1895-1959, (Columbia University. Avery Architecture and Fine Arts Library. Department of Drawings and Archives.)

William Adams Delano: architect; from 1903-1910 taught at Columbia University; in 1903 founded Delano and Aldrich in New York City; from 1924-1946 employed by U.S. government (1929-1946 as architectural representative on the National Park and Planning Commission); designed buildings for Yale University, La Guardia and Idlewild Airports, Japanese Embassy in Washington, D. C., and others; designed plan for renovation of the White House.

William Adams Delano was born in New York City on January 21, 1874. His father, Eugene Delano, was a partner in the banking firm Brown Brothers & Company; his mother, the former Susan Magoun Adams, was the daughter of the Reverend Mr. William Adams. In 1887, William Adams Delano entered the Lawrenceville School, from which he graduated in 1891. In the fall of that year he enrolled in Yale College, obtaining his A.B. In 1895. After graduation from Yale, Delano spent two years in the Columbia University School of Architecture and two years as a draftsman in the architectural office of Hastings Carrère. He then went to Paris to study at the Ecole des Beaux Arts, from which he received a diploma in 1902. In 1901 Delano had been awarded the Jean Leclaire Prize, an honor bestowed by the Institut de France upon the member of the First Class who receives the greatest number of values. This had been a particularly meaningful award to Delano, since this was the first time the prize had been given to other than a Frenchman. After over five years in Paris he returned to New York where, in 1903, he and Chester H. Aldrich founded the firm of Delano and Aldrich. Until 1910, Delano also served as a professor of design at Columbia University's School of Architecture.

In 1924, Delano was appointed for a four year term to the National Commission of Fine Arts by President Coolidge. In 1927 Secretary Mellon appointed him a member of the Board of Architectural Consultants of the United States Treasury Department, a position Delano held for six years. In 1929, by president Hoover's request, Delano became the architectural representative on the National Park and Planning Commission, being re-appointed by succeeding Presidents and serving in his capacity until 1946 when he resigned.

In 1908, Delano was awarded the degree of B.F.A., and in 1939 he received an honorary M.A. -- both from Yale. He became, in 1930, a corresponding member of the Academic des Beaux Arts Institut de France, having served as President of the Society of Beaux Arts Architects from 1927 to 1929; also in 1930, Delano became an officer in the Legion d'Honneur. He was a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and from 1928 to 1930 he served as president of the New York Chapter; in 1953 Delano received the Institute's Gold Medal for excellence in Architecture. A member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters, he had received their Gold Medal for architecture in 1940. Delano also belonged to the Architectural League of New York, the National Academy of Design, and the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He was a trustee of the New York Orthopaedic Dispensary and the New York Public Library; he was vice president of the Grenfell Association of America and the New York Hotocultural Society. He was a member of the Century Association, the Coffee House, India House, The Brook, and the Yale University Knickerbocker, and Piping Rock Clubs in New York; he was also a member of the Metropolitan Club in Washington and the Graduates Club in New Haven.

During his architectural career, Delano designed many buildings of note. Among them at Yale were Wright Hall, Sterling Chemical Laboratory, and the Divinity School. His buildings at Washington include the Japanese Embassy, the Post Office Building and Circular Plaza. In New York City, Delano designed the University Club and the Brook, and LaGuardia and Idlewild Airports. A commission which had given Delano particular professional satisfaction was the American Embassy on the Place de la Concorde in Paris. At West Point Delano succeeded in winning the contract for the enlargement of the United States Military Academy. However, Delano is probably best known for his work on the renovation of the White House, including the balcony addition he designed.

A member of that stylistic persuasion in architecture called the "Beaux Arts School," Delano's designs are today often unfavorably criticized and largely ignored. However, in his time, many thought very highly of his architectural artistry. President Truman, for one, expressed his admiration in this note he sent Delano: "On all sides we find noble works whose artistic merits reflect the fine taste and judgment which you have exercised."

William Delano died on January 12, 1960 in New York City at the age of 85.

CHRONOLOGICAL NOTE

1874 Born, New York City, on January 21

1887-1891 Lawrenceville School

1895 A.B. From Yale

1902 Diploma from Ecole des Beaux-Arts

1903-1910 Professor of Design at Columbia

1903 Firm of Delano and Aldrich established

1905 Trustee, New York Orthapaedic Dispensary and Hospital

1907 Married, to Louisa Millicent Potter (Sheffield), May 23

1908 B.F.A. From Yale

1909 Born, a son, William Richard Potter Delano, on July 31

1924-1928 Member, National Commission of Fine Arts

1927-1933 Member, Board of Architectural Consultants, Treasury Department, Washington, D.C.

1929-1946 Member, National Park and Planning Commission

1930 Corresponding member, Academie des Beaux-Arts, L'Institut de France

1933 Operation on neck

1937-1943 Designed LaGuardia Airport

1939 Hon. M.A. From Yale

1939 Member, Board of Design for World's Fair

1940 Awarded Gold Medal of National Institute of Arts and Letters

1945 Won competition for enlarging West Point facilities

1948 Added balcony to White House

1949 Appointed Architectural Consultant to the Commission on the Renovation of the Executive Mansion

1950 Retired from active partnership in Delano & Aldrich (January 1)

1953 Received Gold Medal of American Institute of Architects

1960 Died, January 12; memorial service held on February 1 at the Brick Presbyterian Church, New York City

From the guide to the William Adams Delano papers, 1902-1960, 1939-1960, (Manuscripts and Archives)