Gridley James Fox Bryant
Encyclopedia
Gridley James Fox Bryant (often referred to as G.J.F. Bryant) (August 29, 1816 – June 8, 1899) 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. He studied in his father's engineering office and that of Alexander Parris
, then opened his own architect's office at the corner of Court and Washington streets. His first achievement was the design for the Broadway Savings Bank, South Boston, in the early 1830s. He married Louisa Bryant on September 9, 1839.
Bryant was a leading proponent of the Boston "Granite Style", and together with Arthur Gilman
devised the Back Bay's gridiron street pattern. Some idea of his popularity as an architect may be had from the fact that 152 buildings that he designed were destroyed in the Boston fire of 1872, and he received commissions to rebuild 110 of them.
Several prominent architects worked with Bryant including Alexander Rice Esty
, a prominent church designer, and Edward H. Kendall
, later in practice in New York.
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...
and builder. His work was seen in custom houses, government buildings, churches, schoolhouses, and private residences across the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Bryant was born to Marcia Winship Fox and Gridley Bryant
Gridley Bryant
Gridley Bryant was an American construction engineer who ended up building the first commercial railroad in the United States and inventing most of the basic technologies involved in it...
, noted railway pioneer. He studied in his father's engineering office and that of Alexander Parris
Alexander Parris
Alexander Parris was a prominent American architect-engineer. Beginning as a housewright, he evolved into an architect whose work transitioned from Federal style architecture to the later Greek Revival. Parris taught Ammi B. Young, and was among the group of architects influential in founding what...
, then opened his own architect's office at the corner of Court and Washington streets. His first achievement was the design for the Broadway Savings Bank, South Boston, in the early 1830s. He married Louisa Bryant on September 9, 1839.
Bryant was a leading proponent of the Boston "Granite Style", and together with Arthur Gilman
Arthur Gilman
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...
devised the Back Bay's gridiron street pattern. Some idea of his popularity as an architect may be had from the fact that 152 buildings that he designed were destroyed in the Boston fire of 1872, and he received commissions to rebuild 110 of them.
Several prominent architects worked with Bryant including Alexander Rice Esty
Alexander Rice Esty
Alexander Rice Esty was an American architect who is largely known today for designing many Gothic Revival churches in New England, however his work also encompassed university buildings, municipal and Federal buildings, office buildings, and private residences across the Northeastern United...
, a prominent church designer, and Edward H. Kendall
Edward H. Kendall
Edward Hale Kendall was an American architect with a practice in New York City.Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Kendall was one of the first generation of Americans to study in Paris; he apprenticed in the office of the construction engineer Gridley James Fox Bryant, Boston...
, later in practice in New York.
Bryant's Works
- the Quincy SchoolQuincy SchoolQuincy School is a historic school at 94 Newbury Avenue in Quincy, Massachusetts.It was built in 1906 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. A longtime elementary school, it closed in 1981 following city cutbacks in the wake of Proposition 2 1/2, and was subsequently sold...
(1847) - AlmshouseAlmshouse (Cambridge, Massachusetts)The Almshouse is an historic almshouse at 41 Orchard Street inCambridge, Massachusetts.The building was constructed in 1850 by Gridley J.F. Bryant and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982....
, Cambridge, MassachusettsCambridge, MassachusettsCambridge is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, in the Greater Boston area. It was named in honor of the University of Cambridge in England, an important center of the Puritan theology embraced by the town's founders. Cambridge is home to two of the world's most prominent...
(1850) - the John Tucker Daland HouseJohn Tucker Daland HouseThe John Tucker Daland House is an imposing, Italianate house designed by architect Gridley James Fox Bryant. It is located at 132 Essex Street, Salem, Massachusetts, United States, and now owned by the Peabody Essex Museum as home for the Essex Institute...
(1851-1852) - Ballou Hall, Tufts College's original building (1852)
- the second addition to the Massachusetts State HouseMassachusetts State HouseThe Massachusetts State House, also known as the Massachusetts Statehouse or the "New" State House, is the state capitol and house of government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is located in Boston in the neighborhood Beacon Hill...
(1853-1856, razed 1889) - Hathorn HallHathorn HallHathorn Hall is a historic academic building at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine featuring a brick exterior, white corinthian columns, a weathervane, and a bell tower.-History:...
, Bates CollegeBates CollegeBates College is a highly selective, private liberal arts college located in Lewiston, Maine, in the United States. and was most recently ranked 21st in the nation in the 2011 US News Best Liberal Arts Colleges rankings. The college was founded in 1855 by abolitionists...
's original building (1856) - Boston's Mercantile Wharf Building (1857)
- Androscoggin County Courthouse and JailAndroscoggin County Courthouse and JailAndroscoggin County Courthouse and Jail is an historic building on 2 Turner Street in Auburn, Maine.The Court was built in 1857 and added to the National Historic Register in 1983....
, Auburn, MaineAuburn, MaineAuburn is a city in and the county seat of Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 23,055 at the 2010 census. It is one of two principal cities of and included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan...
(1857, with Albert Currier) - State Street Block (Boston)State Street Block (Boston)State Street Block is a granite building near the waterfront in the Financial District of Boston, Massachusetts. Architect Gridley James Fox Bryant designed it. In the 1850s "the Long and Central Wharf Corporation .....
(1858) - Aroostook County Courthouse and JailAroostook County Courthouse and JailAroostook County Courthouse and Jail, is located in Houlton, Maine. The building was built in 1859 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 26, 1990....
, Houlton, MaineHoulton, MaineHoulton is a town in Aroostook County, Maine, on the United States – Canada border, located at . As of the 2010 census, the town population was 6,123. It is perhaps best known as being at the northern terminus of Interstate 95 and for being the birthplace of Samantha Smith...
(1859, with Wilfred E. Mansur) - Arlington Street Church (1860 with Arthur Gilman)
- Boston City HospitalBoston City HospitalThe Boston City Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, was "intended for the use and comfort of poor patients, to whom medical care will be provided at the expense of the city, and .....
(1861-1864) - Old City HallOld 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...
(1862-65 with Arthur Gilman) - Gloucester City HallGloucester City HallGloucester City Hall is a historic city hall at Dale Avenue in Gloucester, Massachusetts.It was built in 1869-1871 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.-External Links:*...
, Gloucester, MassachusettsGloucester, MassachusettsGloucester is a city on Cape Ann in Essex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is part of Massachusetts' North Shore. The population was 28,789 at the 2010 U.S. Census...
, (1869-1871, with Louis P. Rogers) - the Charlestown State PrisonCharlestown State PrisonCharlestown State Prison was a correctional facility in Charlestown, Boston, Massachusetts operated by the Massachusetts Department of Correction. The facility was located between Austin and Washington Streets and in proximity to the Boston and Maine Railroad tracks that intersected with the...
and the Charles Street JailCharles Street JailThe Charles Street Jail or "Suffolk County Jail" is a historic former jail located at 215 Charles Street, Boston, Massachusetts... - renovation of the New Hampshire State HouseNew Hampshire State HouseThe New Hampshire State House is the state capitol building of New Hampshire, located in Concord at 107 North Main Street. The capitol houses the New Hampshire General Court, Governor and Executive Council...
at Concord, New HampshireConcord, New HampshireThe city of Concord is the capital of the state of New Hampshire in the United States. It is also the county seat of Merrimack County. As of the 2010 census, its population was 42,695.... - the first house in the Robert Treat Paine EstateRobert Treat Paine EstateThe Robert Treat Paine Estate, known as Stonehurst, is a country house set on 109 acres , designed in collaboration between architect Henry Hobson Richardson and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. It is located at 100 Robert Treat Paine Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts...