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African American Architects Biographical Dictionary 1865-1945: Uncovering the Untold Stories of Trailblazing Builders

Walter Simmons

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Published in African American Architects: A Biographical Dictionary 1865 1945

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The history of architecture is often dominated by narratives of white, male architects. However, the contributions of African American architects have been largely overlooked and underappreciated. The African American Architects Biographical Dictionary 1865-1945 is a groundbreaking work that aims to rectify this omission by providing detailed accounts of the lives and careers of 150 African American architects who practiced during this period.

The dictionary is the culmination of years of research by a team of scholars led by Dr. Mark R. Jarzombek, a professor of architecture at the University of Pennsylvania. The dictionary includes architects from all over the United States, ranging from well-known figures like Julian Abele and Robert R. Taylor to lesser-known but equally talented individuals like Ethel Waters and Vertner Woodson Tandy.

African American Architects: A Biographical Dictionary, 1865-1945

by Mary Beth Rogers

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	13157 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	1062 pages

The dictionary is a valuable resource for scholars, architects, and anyone interested in the history of African American culture. It provides a comprehensive overview of the contributions of African American architects to the built environment, and it challenges the traditional narratives of architectural history. The dictionary is also a testament to the resilience and creativity of African American architects, who overcame racism and discrimination to make a lasting impact on the world.

Overview of the Dictionary

The African American Architects Biographical Dictionary 1865-1945 is organized into three main sections:

Biographical entries: The dictionary includes 150 biographical entries, each of which provides a detailed account of the life and career of an African American architect. The entries include information on the architect's education, training, and professional career, as well as their major works and contributions to the field of architecture.
Timeline: The dictionary also includes a timeline of important events in the history of African American architecture. The timeline highlights the major milestones and achievements of African American architects, and it provides a context for the biographical entries.
Bibliography: The dictionary concludes with a bibliography of sources on African American architecture. The bibliography provides a starting point for further research on this topic.

The Importance of the Dictionary

The African American Architects Biographical Dictionary 1865-1945 is an important work for several reasons:

It provides a comprehensive overview of the contributions of African American architects to the built environment. The dictionary includes architects from all over the United States, and it represents a wide range of styles and periods. The dictionary is a valuable resource for scholars, architects, and anyone interested in the history of African American culture.
It challenges the traditional narratives of architectural history. The dictionary demonstrates that African Americans have played a significant role in shaping the built environment of the United States. The dictionary challenges the traditional narratives of architectural history, which have often ignored the contributions of African Americans.
It is a testament to the resilience and creativity of African American architects. The dictionary tells the stories of African American architects who overcame racism and discrimination to make a lasting impact on the world. The dictionary is a testament to the resilience and creativity of African Americans.

The African American Architects Biographical Dictionary 1865-1945 is an essential resource for anyone interested in the history of architecture and African American culture. The dictionary provides a comprehensive overview of the contributions of African American architects to the built environment, and it challenges the traditional narratives of architectural history. The dictionary is a testament to the resilience and creativity of African American architects, and it is a valuable resource for scholars, architects, and anyone interested in the history of African American culture.