Arthur Gilman
Encyclopedia
Arthur Delevan Gilman was an American architect
, designer of many Boston
neighborhoods, and member of the American Institute of Architects
. Gilman was a descendant of Edward Gilman Sr., one of the first settlers of Exeter, New Hampshire
.
Gilman was educated at Trinity College
, Hartford, Connecticut
. In 1844 he published a paper on "American Architecture" in the North American Review
. He was then invited to deliver twelve lectures before the Lowell Institute
, Boston
, after which he went to Europe on a tour of professional observation.
On his return to Boston, he advocated filling in the Back Bay district, urging this plan for years before his views were carried out by the State. Here Gridley James Fox Bryant
was his colleague. Commonwealth Avenue
, now one of the finest streets in the world, is due almost entirely to his persistent efforts, along with Frederick Law Olmsted
.
Mr. Gilman designed the H. H. Hunnewell house (1851) in Wellesley
(then West Needham) and, with Gridley James Fox Bryant
, the Old City Hall
in Boston (1862-65). In 1865 he moved to New York City
, where he designed The Equitable Insurance Company's building, the Bennett Building for The New York Herald, and St. John's Church and parsonage at Clifton, Staten Island
.
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
, designer of many Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
neighborhoods, and member of the American Institute of Architects
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
. Gilman was a descendant of Edward Gilman Sr., one of the first settlers of Exeter, New Hampshire
Exeter, New Hampshire
Exeter is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The town's population was 14,306 at the 2010 census. Exeter was the county seat until 1997, when county offices were moved to neighboring Brentwood...
.
Gilman was educated at Trinity College
Trinity College (Connecticut)
Trinity College is a private, liberal arts college in Hartford, Connecticut. Founded in 1823, it is the second-oldest college in the state of Connecticut after Yale University. The college enrolls 2,300 students and has been coeducational since 1969. Trinity offers 38 majors and 26 minors, and has...
, Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
. In 1844 he published a paper on "American Architecture" in the North American Review
North American Review
The North American Review was the first literary magazine in the United States. Founded in Boston in 1815 by journalist Nathan Hale and others, it was published continuously until 1940, when publication was suspended due to J. H. Smyth, who had purchased the magazine, being unmasked as a Japanese...
. He was then invited to deliver twelve lectures before the Lowell Institute
Lowell Institute
The Lowell Institute is an educational foundation in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A., providing for free public lectures, and endowed by the bequest of $250,000 left by John Lowell, Jr., who died in 1836. Under the terms of his will 10% of the net income was to be added to the principal, which in...
, Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, after which he went to Europe on a tour of professional observation.
On his return to Boston, he advocated filling in the Back Bay district, urging this plan for years before his views were carried out by the State. Here Gridley James Fox Bryant
Gridley James Fox Bryant
Gridley James Fox Bryant was a famous 19th century Boston architect and builder. His work was seen in custom houses, government buildings, churches, schoolhouses, and private residences across the United States.Bryant was born to Marcia Winship Fox and Gridley Bryant, noted railway pioneer...
was his colleague. Commonwealth Avenue
Commonwealth Avenue, Boston
Commonwealth Avenue is a major street in the cities of Boston and Newton, Massachusetts. It begins at the western edge of the Public Garden, and continues west through the neighborhoods of the Back Bay, Kenmore Square, Allston, Brighton and Chestnut Hill...
, now one of the finest streets in the world, is due almost entirely to his persistent efforts, along with Frederick Law Olmsted
Frederick Law Olmsted
Frederick Law Olmsted was an American journalist, social critic, public administrator, and landscape designer. He is popularly considered to be the father of American landscape architecture, although many scholars have bestowed that title upon Andrew Jackson Downing...
.
Mr. Gilman designed the H. H. Hunnewell house (1851) in Wellesley
Wellesley, Massachusetts
Wellesley is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of Greater Boston. The population was 27,982 at the time of the 2010 census.It is best known as the home of Wellesley College and Babson College...
(then West Needham) and, with Gridley James Fox Bryant
Gridley James Fox Bryant
Gridley James Fox Bryant was a famous 19th century Boston architect and builder. His work was seen in custom houses, government buildings, churches, schoolhouses, and private residences across the United States.Bryant was born to Marcia Winship Fox and Gridley Bryant, noted railway pioneer...
, the Old City Hall
Old City Hall (Boston)
Boston's Old City Hall was home to its city council from 1865 to 1969. It was one of the first buildings in the French Second Empire style to be built in the United States and is now one of few remaining...
in Boston (1862-65). In 1865 he moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where he designed The Equitable Insurance Company's building, the Bennett Building for The New York Herald, and St. John's Church and parsonage at Clifton, Staten Island
Clifton, Staten Island
Clifton or Park Hill is a neighborhood in northeastern Staten Island in New York City in the United States. It is an older waterfront neighborhood, facing Upper New York Bay on the east...
.