Parke Edwards was an early 20th century artist. Born in 1892 into a farming family in Smithville, Lancaster Co., Pa., his formal education took him as far as the 8th grade. Edwards became interested in art and enrolled in a mail-order course in show-card writing and sign painting with the International Correspondence School. He then attended the Pennsylvania Museum School of Industrial Art. As a sophomore, Edwards was award a scholarship to travel to Europe, where he documented the artistic talents of Europe's best craftsmen. At the outbreak of World War I, Edwards was drafted into the Army Signal Corps, where he designed Aviation Maintenance Forms. Eventually, he prepared watercolor renditions of the human anatomy for the Army Medical Museum. After leaving the service, Edwards finished his studies, setting up the School of Industrial Art's metalwork shop. He became one of the school's prized instructors. Edwards' major work was undertaken a the Swedenborgian Cathedral at Bryn Athyn, Pa., where was responsible for making and installing much of the decorative metalwork. Later, he worked at the residence of Raymond Pitcairn, the financial sponsor of the Bryn Athyn church.
From the description of Collection, 1906-1965. (Winterthur Library). WorldCat record id: 84665792
