Born in Mystic, Connecticut, on 3 December 1932, Rudy Favretti was professor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Connecticut from 1955 until 1989. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Connecticut in 1954, and a Master's degree from Cornell University . In 1965, he received a second Bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts in Landscape Architecture, as well as a second Master's degree in the same subject in 1967.
In addition to his academic duties, Favretti participated in many professional societies, including the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Connecticut Horticultural Society, the American Horticultural Society, the American Garden History Society, the British Garden History Society, and the new England Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians . He was the recipient of several awards and honors, including the Claremont Fellowship in 1967, the Fred Aamis Daniels Fellowship from the American Antiquarian Society in 1979, a Certificate of Achievement from the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut in 1981, and a 1982 Honor Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation . In addition, Mr. Favretti was an appointed member of the Planning Committee for the Governor's Conference on Natural Beauty in 1966, and a member of the Governor's Commission to Keep Connecticut Clean and Beautiful in 1967. In 19779, Favretti was appointed to the State Board of Registration for Landscape Architects by Governor Ella Grasso .
During his years at UConn, Mr. Favretti published a number of books and journal articles. His books include Growing for Showing (1961), Early New England Gardens—Old Sturbridge Village (1962), New England Colonial Gardens (1964), Colonial Gardens (1972), Once Upon Quoketaug (1974), Chronology of Mansfield (1974), Trails for the Future (1976), Highlights of Connecticut Agriculture (1976), For Every House a Garden (1977), and Landscapes and Gardens for Historic Buildings (1979). In 1978, he produced a tape slide show called “Landscaping to Conserve Energy.”
From the guide to the Rudy Favretti Papers, 1962-1979., (Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center .)
