William Augustus Edwards
Encyclopedia
William Augustus Edwards, also known as William A. Edwards, (December 8, 1866 - March 30, 1939) was an Atlanta-based American
architect
renowned for the educational buildings, courthouses and other public and private buildings that he designed in Florida
, Georgia
and his native South Carolina
.
, the son of Augustus Fulton Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth Sarah Hart. After graduating from St. David's School in Society Hill
, Edwards attended Richmond College, now the University of Richmond
for one year and then entered the University of South Carolina
where he received a degree in mechanical engineering
in 1889.
. The two men prospered for a time, but in 1901 Edwards found a new partner, Frank C. Walter. Between then and 1908 the two designed many public school buildings across the state. In 1908 the men moved their firm to Atlanta, Georgia
, where they were briefly associated with an architect named Parnham. The firm lasted until 1911, at which point Walter left to work on his own.
In 1915 Edwards established another partnership, this one with William J. Sayward, and in 1919 Joseph Leitner joined the practice. Edwards continued working successfully from this office until his death in 1939.
.
and designed many buildings in the Collegiate Gothic style for the three existing state institutions of higher learning as well as other public schools.
Florida College for Negroes (Florida A&M University
). Buildings designed by William Augustus Edwards include:
Florida State College for Women (Florida State University
). Buildings designed by William Augustus Edwards include:
s for the state of South Carolina, all of which are still standing except the ones in Kershaw and Darlingon which were destroyed. The courthouses are as follows:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
architect
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...
renowned for the educational buildings, courthouses and other public and private buildings that he designed in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
and his native South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
.
Early life and education
William Augustus Edwards was born in Darlington, South CarolinaDarlington, South Carolina
Darlington is a city in and the county seat of Darlington County, in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of South Carolina. It is a center for tobacco farming. The population was 6,720 at the 2000 census and is part of the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, the son of Augustus Fulton Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth Sarah Hart. After graduating from St. David's School in Society Hill
Society Hill, South Carolina
Society Hill is a town in Darlington County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 700 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, Edwards attended Richmond College, now the University of Richmond
University of Richmond
The University of Richmond is a selective, private, nonsectarian, liberal arts university located on the border of the city of Richmond and Henrico County, Virginia. The University of Richmond is a primarily undergraduate, residential university with approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate...
for one year and then entered the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
where he received a degree in mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
in 1889.
Career history
He and another Darlington County native, Charles Coker Wilson, set up an office together in Columbia, having previously worked in Roanoke, VirginiaRoanoke, Virginia
Roanoke is an independent city in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. state of Virginia and is the tenth-largest city in the Commonwealth. It is located in the Roanoke Valley of the Roanoke Region of Virginia. The population within the city limits was 97,032 as of 2010...
. The two men prospered for a time, but in 1901 Edwards found a new partner, Frank C. Walter. Between then and 1908 the two designed many public school buildings across the state. In 1908 the men moved their firm to Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, where they were briefly associated with an architect named Parnham. The firm lasted until 1911, at which point Walter left to work on his own.
In 1915 Edwards established another partnership, this one with William J. Sayward, and in 1919 Joseph Leitner joined the practice. Edwards continued working successfully from this office until his death in 1939.
Marriage and family
William Augustus Edwards married India Pearl Brown on December 21, 1898. They had two sons and two daughters. He was a member of the Unitarian ChurchAmerican Unitarian Association
The American Unitarian Association was a religious denomination in the United States and Canada, formed by associated Unitarian congregations in 1825. In 1961, it merged with the Universalist Church of America to form the Unitarian Universalist Association.According to Mortimer Rowe, the Secretary...
.
Educational buildings
Among the academic institutions for which Edwards designed buildings were:In Florida
From 1905-1925, William A. Edwards was architect for the Florida Board of ControlFlorida Board of Control
The Florida Board of Control was the statewide governing body for the State University System of Florida, which included all public universities in the state of Florida. It was replaced by the Florida Board of Regents in 1965.- History :...
and designed many buildings in the Collegiate Gothic style for the three existing state institutions of higher learning as well as other public schools.
Gainesville
- University of FloridaUniversity of FloridaThe University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
: The following buildings in the University of Florida Campus Historic DistrictUniversity of Florida Campus Historic DistrictThe University of Florida Campus Historic District is a historic district on the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. The district, bounded by West University Avenue, Southwest 13th Street, Stadium Road and North-South Drive, encompasses approximately and contains 11 listed...
:- Anderson Hall
Anderson Hall (Gainesville, Florida)Anderson Hall is a historic building in Gainesville, Florida, in the northeastern section of the University of Florida campus. On June 27, 1979, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places...
,- Bryan Hall
Bryan Hall (Gainesville, Florida)Bryan Hall is a historic building in Gainesville, Florida, United States. It is located in the northeastern section of the University of Florida in Gainesville. On June 27, 1979, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Bryan Hall is part of the Warrington College of Business...
,- Buckman Hall
Buckman Hall (Gainesville, Florida)Buckman Hall, an historic building located in Murphree Area on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville, Florida, United States. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on January 11, 1974....
,- Flint Hall
Flint Hall (Gainesville, Florida)Flint Hall is a historic site in Gainesville, Florida, United States. It is located in the northeastern section of the University of Florida. On June 27, 1979, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places...
,- Griffin-Floyd Hall,
- Library East
Library East (Gainesville, Florida)Library East is a historic library in Gainesville, Florida, United States. It is located in the northeastern section of the University of Florida in the middle of the Campus Historic District. When it was first created it was the largest building on campus at that time.-History:This facility was...
,- Newell Hall
Newell Hall (Gainesville, Florida)Newell Hall is a historic site in Gainesville, Florida, United States. It is located in the northeastern section of the University of Florida. On June 27, 1979, it was added to the U.S...- Peabody Hall
Peabody Hall (Gainesville, Florida)Peabody Hall is a historic site in Gainesville, Florida, United States. It is located in the northeastern section of the University of Florida. On June 27, 1979, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places...
,- Rolfs Hall
Rolfs Hall (Gainesville, Florida)Rolfs Hall is an historic building on the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, United States. It is located in the northeastern section of the campus...
,- Thomas Hall
Thomas Hall (Gainesville, Florida)Thomas Hall, built in 1905, is a historic building located in Murphree Area on the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, United States...
,- University Auditorium
University Auditorium (Gainesville, Florida)The University Auditorium, originally known as the Memorial Auditorium and sometimes called the University of Florida Auditorium, is an historic building on the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, in the United States....- Women's Gymnasium
Women's Gymnasium (Gainesville, Florida)Kathryn Chicone Ustler Hall is an historic building on the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. It was designed by William Augustus Edwards in the Collegiate Gothic style. On June 27, 1979, it was added to the U.S...- Old Benton Hall (original engineering building), 1911, demolished 1966.
- Original Post Office, third building on campus, demolished before 1977 to make way for General Purpose Building A, now Turlington Hall.
- Johnson Hall (original dining hall) 1912, burned 1987,
- Anderson Hall
FAMU
Florida College for Negroes (Florida A&M University
Florida A&M University
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, commonly known as Florida A&M or FAMU, is a historically black university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States, the state capital, and is one of eleven member institutions of the State University System of Florida...
). Buildings designed by William Augustus Edwards include:
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FSU
Florida State College for Women (Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
). Buildings designed by William Augustus Edwards include:
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|
In Georgia
- Agnes Scott CollegeAgnes Scott CollegeAgnes Scott College is a private undergraduate college in the United States. Agnes Scott's campus lies in downtown Decatur, Georgia, nestled inside the perimeter of the bustling metro-Atlanta area....
, Decatur, Georgia: Buttrick Hall, 1930; McCain Library, 1936 - Columbia Theological SeminaryColumbia Theological SeminaryColumbia Theological Seminary is one of the ten theological institutions affiliated with the Presbyterian Church . It is located in Decatur, Georgia. Dr. Stephen A. Hayner is the seminary's president.-Description:...
, Decatur, Georgia - Georgia State Teachers College
- Georgia State Women's College (Valdosta State UniversityValdosta State UniversityValdosta State University, also referred to as VSU, or Valdosta State, is an American public university and is one of the two regional universities in the University System of Georgia. Valdosta State is located on a campus at the heart of the city of Valdosta...
)
In South Carolina
- Clemson College (Clemson UniversityClemson UniversityClemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
) - Limestone CollegeLimestone CollegeLimestone College is a private four-year, coeducational liberal-arts college located in Gaffney, South Carolina. Limestone College is a Christian non-denominational college. Its programs lead to the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Social Work, Associate of Arts or Associate of...
, Gaffney: Winnie Davis HallWinnie Davis HallWinnie Davis Hall, built in 1904, is an historic redbrick college building on the campus of Limestone College in Gaffney, South Carolina in the United States. It was designed by Darlington native William Augustus Edwards, who designed academic buildings at 12 institutions of higher learning as well...
, 1904, - McMaster SchoolMcMaster SchoolThe McMaster School, built in 1911, is an historic building located at 1106 Pickens Street on the corner of Senate Street in Columbia, South Carolina. It was designed by noted Columbia architect William Augustus Edwards of the firm of Edwards and Walter. It was named for Col. F. W...
, now USC's McMaster College, Columbia - South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind, Spartanburg
- University of South CarolinaUniversity of South CarolinaThe University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
, Columbia: Currell CollegeCurrell CollegeCurrell College, completed in 1919, is an historic two-story redbrick university building on the campus of the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina in the United States...
(originally the law school named Petigru College, but changed in 1950 to Currell when a new Petigru was built for the law school) 1919,. - Walhalla Graded SchoolWalhalla Graded SchoolThe Walhalla Graded School, built in 1901, is an historic building located at 101 E. North Broad Street in Walhalla, South Carolina. It was designed by noted Columbia architect William Augustus Edwards of the firm of Edwards and Walter and built by Grandy & Jordan of Greenville.On February 13,...
, Walhalla, 1901 - Winthrop College, Winthrop UniversityWinthrop UniversityWinthrop University is a public, four-year liberal arts university in Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA. In 2006-07, Winthrop University had an enrollment of 6,292 students. The University has been recognized as South Carolina's top-rated university according to evaluations conducted by the South...
, Rock Hill: Withers BuildingWithers BuildingThe Withers Building, also known as the Winthrop Training School or W.T.S., is an historic building complex located at 611 Myrtle Drive on the campus of Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina...
, Main Classroom - Office Building, 1912–1913.
In Florida
- Hernando County CourthouseHernando County CourthouseThe Hernando County Courthouse, built in 1913, is an historic courthouse building located in Brooksville, Florida, It was designed by Atlanta-based architect William Augustus Edwards who designed one other courthouse in Florida, two in Georgia and nine in South Carolina as well as academic...
, 1913. - Sumter County Courthouse (Florida)Sumter County Courthouse (Florida)The Sumter County Courthouse, built in 1912-1914, is an historic courthouse building located in Bushnell, Florida, It was designed by Atlanta-based architect William Augustus Edwards who designed one other courthouse in Florida, two in Georgia and nine in South Carolina as well as academic...
, 1914
In Georgia
- Fannin County Courthouse, Georgia, 1937, replaced 2004 by new courthouse next door. Old one is leased as Georgia Mountain Center for the Arts.
- Tift County CourthouseTift County CourthouseThe Tift County Courthouse, built in 1912-1913, is a historic courthouse building located in Tifton, Georgia. It was designed by Atlanta-based architect William Augustus Edwards who designed one other courthouse in Georgia, two in Florida and nine in South Carolina as well as academic buildings at...
, Georgia, 1912-13
In South Carolina
Between 1908 and 1915 Edwards designed nine county courthouseCourthouse
A courthouse is a building that is home to a local court of law and often the regional county government as well, although this is not the case in some larger cities. The term is common in North America. In most other English speaking countries, buildings which house courts of law are simply...
s for the state of South Carolina, all of which are still standing except the ones in Kershaw and Darlingon which were destroyed. The courthouses are as follows:
- Abbeville County CourthouseAbbeville County CourthouseThe Abbeville County Courthouse, built in 1908, is an historic courthouse located in the east corner of Court Square, in the city of Abbeville in Abbeville County, South Carolina...
- Calhoun County CourthouseCalhoun County Courthouse (South Carolina)The Calhoun County Courthouse, built in 1913, is an historic courthouse located on South Railroad Avenue in the city of St. Matthews in Calhoun County, South Carolina...
- Darlington County Courthouse, 1904–1964, replaced by highrise courthouse on same site
- Dillon County CourthouseDillon County CourthouseThe Dillon County Courthouse, built in 1911, is a historic courthouse located at 301 West Main Street in the city of Dillon in Dillon County, South Carolina...
- Kershaw County Courthouse, destroyed
- Jasper County CourthouseJasper County Courthouse (South Carolina)The Jasper County Courthouse, built in 1915, is an historic courthouse located on Russell Street in the city of Ridgeland in Jasper County, South Carolina. It was designed in the Colonial Revival style by Darlington native William Augustus Edwards who designed eight other South Carolina...
- Lee County CourthouseLee County Courthouse (South Carolina)The Lee County Courthouse, built in 1908, is an historic courthouse located at 123 Main Street in the city of Bishopville in Lee County, South Carolina. It was designed in the Classical Revival style by Darlington native William Augustus Edwards who designed eight other South Carolina courthouses...
- Sumter County CourthouseSumter County Courthouse (South Carolina)The Sumter County Courthouse, built in 1907, is an historic courthouse located at 141 North Main Street in the city of Sumter in Sumter County, South Carolina. It was designed in the Beaux Arts style by Darlington native William Augustus Edwards who designed eight other South Carolina courthouses...
- York County CourthouseYork County CourthouseThe York County Courthouse, built in 1914, is an historic courthouse located at West Liberty and South Congress streets in the city of York in York County, South Carolina...
In Florida
- Covington HouseCovington House (Tallahassee, Florida)The Covington House, also known as the Schendel House, is an historic building located at 328 Cortez Street in Tallahassee, Florida. Built in 1927, it was designed by noted architect William Augustus Edwards....
, Tallahassee, 1926 - Exchange Bank BuildingExchange Bank Building (Tallahassee, Florida)The Exchange Bank Building is a historic bank building in Tallahassee, Florida. It is located at 201 South Monroe Street and was designed by noted architect, William Augustus Edwards. On November 29, 1984, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.-References and external...
, Tallahassee, Florida - Hotel ThomasHotel ThomasThe Hotel Thomas, also known as Sunkist Villa but currently known as the Thomas Center, is an historic building in Gainesville, Florida, United States. It is located on the block bounded by Northeast 2nd and 5th Streets and Northeast 6th and 7th Avenues...
, Gainesville, Florida, 1919
In Georgia
- City Hall and FirehouseCity Hall and FirehouseThe City Hall and Firehouse, built in 1914, is an historic city hall and Fire station building located on the corner of Crawford and Water streets in Bainbridge, Georgia. It was designed by Atlanta-based architect William Augustus Edwards who designed nine South Carolina courthouses as well as...
, Bainbridge - Odd Fellows Building and AuditoriumOdd Fellows Building and AuditoriumThe Odd Fellows Building and Auditorium, located at 228—250 Auburn Avenue, N.E. in the Sweet Auburn Historic District of Atlanta, Georgia, are historic buildings built in 1912 and 1913, respectively, as the headquarters of the District Grand Lodge No. 18, Jurisdiction of Georgia, of the Grand...
, Atlanta, 1912–1913 - University Homes in the Atlanta University CenterAtlanta University CenterThe Atlanta University Center Consortium is the largest contiguous consortium of African Americans in higher education in the United States. The center consists of four historically black colleges and universities in southwest Atlanta, Georgia...
area - Unitarian Church of Atlanta, 669 West Peachtree Street, 1915
- United States Post Office and Courthouse (Columbus, Georgia), 1933
In South Carolina
- Abbeville Opera HouseAbbeville Opera HouseThe Abbeville Opera House, also known as the Abbeville Opera House and Municipal Office Building is an historic building located in Abbeville, South Carolina. Designed by William Augustus Edwards of Edwards and Wilson, it was opened in 1908...
, Abbeville - Cain House at 1619 Pendleton Street, Columbia, South Carolina. 1912. now The Inn at USC.
- South Carolina State ArmorySouth Carolina State ArmoryThe South Carolina State Armory, built in 1905, is an historic National Guard building located at 1219 Assembly Street near the State House in Columbia, South Carolina. It was designed in the Early Commercial style by noted Columbia architect William Augustus Edwards and his partner Frank C. Walter...
,1219 Assembly Street, Columbia, 1905