Cincinnatus Shryock
Encyclopedia
Cincinnatus Shryock was an American architect
.
architect and contractor Mathias Shryock
and his brother, Gideon
, also became a well-known architect in his own right.
Apparently, Cincinnatus Shryock was somewhat of a Renaissance man
. He matriculated to Transylvania University
in Lexington, whose campus now occupies the former site of his boyhood home, which had been built by his father. There he studied medicine, but left one term short of graduation. He was also known as a mathematician
and designed his own telescope
, and was known for his interests in music
and literature
.
Cincinnatus Shryock's first experience in as an architect involved the structural work for Morrison Chapel (now commonly known as "Old Morrison"), a Greek Revival structure designed by his brother Gideon, on the Transylvania campus, in 1833. After the building's completion, Gideon moved to Louisville, but Cincinnatus remained in Lexington, working as an employee of an architect named John McMurtry
.
It was under McMurtry's tutelage that Cincinnatus developed a taste for the Tudor Gothic and Gothic revival styles, which were very popular during a series of revivals in architectural styles in the nineteenth century, particularly in Great Britain
and the United States
. During the 1840s and 1850s McMurtry and Shryock's practice catered to wealthy Bluegrass landowners who fashioned themselves after Scottish knights from Sir Walter Scott's literature.
In the years immediately predating the American Civil War
, Shryock and McMurtry broke off their business relationship, partly because the architectural business in Lexington had dwindled considerably. During the war, Cincinnatus moved his family down the Kentucky River
to operate Shryock's Ferry. He exhibited some Confederate
sympathies, aiding Southern troops to cross the Kentucky River and later attempting to delay Union troops from raiding the town of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
. At the conflict's close, he returned to Lexington to resume his practice.
Cincinnatus Shryock's postwar practice seems to have prospered. He was engaged in the design of many period buildings, replete with mansard roofs, ornate gingerbread, and bay windows characteristic of Italianate buildings. One of Shryock's most notable buildings is the First Presbyterian Church
in Lexington, a Gothic revival structure built in 1872 and located on North Mill Street. http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/lexington/architecture.htm
His work also figures prominently in the South Hill Historic District of Lexington. http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/lexington/shi.htm
Shryock is buried in the Lexington Cemetery.
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...
.
Life and career
Shryock was born into a famous American architectural family. His father was the famous KentuckyKentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
architect and contractor Mathias Shryock
Mathias Shryock
Mathias or Matthias Shryock was an early American architect and building contractor.-Life and career:...
and his brother, Gideon
Gideon Shryock
Gideon Shryock was an American Greek Revival architect.Shryock was a native of Lexington, Kentucky, the son of a housebuilder and contractor, Mathias Shryock, who had moved to Kentucky from Maryland and who would father 10 other children in Kentucky besides Gideon...
, also became a well-known architect in his own right.
Apparently, Cincinnatus Shryock was somewhat of a Renaissance man
Polymath
A polymath is a person whose expertise spans a significant number of different subject areas. In less formal terms, a polymath may simply be someone who is very knowledgeable...
. He matriculated to Transylvania University
Transylvania University
Transylvania University is a private, undergraduate liberal arts college in Lexington, Kentucky, United States, affiliated with the Christian Church . The school was founded in 1780. It offers 38 majors, and pre-professional degrees in engineering and accounting...
in Lexington, whose campus now occupies the former site of his boyhood home, which had been built by his father. There he studied medicine, but left one term short of graduation. He was also known as a mathematician
Mathematician
A mathematician is a person whose primary area of study is the field of mathematics. Mathematicians are concerned with quantity, structure, space, and change....
and designed his own telescope
Telescope
A telescope is an instrument that aids in the observation of remote objects by collecting electromagnetic radiation . The first known practical telescopes were invented in the Netherlands at the beginning of the 1600s , using glass lenses...
, and was known for his interests in music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
and literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
.
Cincinnatus Shryock's first experience in as an architect involved the structural work for Morrison Chapel (now commonly known as "Old Morrison"), a Greek Revival structure designed by his brother Gideon, on the Transylvania campus, in 1833. After the building's completion, Gideon moved to Louisville, but Cincinnatus remained in Lexington, working as an employee of an architect named John McMurtry
John McMurtry (architect)
John McMurtry was an 19th century American builder and architect who worked in Lexington, Kentucky designing a number of notable buildings, several of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places....
.
It was under McMurtry's tutelage that Cincinnatus developed a taste for the Tudor Gothic and Gothic revival styles, which were very popular during a series of revivals in architectural styles in the nineteenth century, particularly in Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. During the 1840s and 1850s McMurtry and Shryock's practice catered to wealthy Bluegrass landowners who fashioned themselves after Scottish knights from Sir Walter Scott's literature.
In the years immediately predating the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Shryock and McMurtry broke off their business relationship, partly because the architectural business in Lexington had dwindled considerably. During the war, Cincinnatus moved his family down the Kentucky River
Kentucky River
The Kentucky River is a tributary of the Ohio River, long, in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The river and its tributaries drain much of the central region of the state, with its upper course passing through the coal-mining regions of the Cumberland Mountains, and its lower course passing through the...
to operate Shryock's Ferry. He exhibited some Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
sympathies, aiding Southern troops to cross the Kentucky River and later attempting to delay Union troops from raiding the town of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
Lawrenceburg is a city in Anderson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 10,505 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Anderson County...
. At the conflict's close, he returned to Lexington to resume his practice.
Cincinnatus Shryock's postwar practice seems to have prospered. He was engaged in the design of many period buildings, replete with mansard roofs, ornate gingerbread, and bay windows characteristic of Italianate buildings. One of Shryock's most notable buildings is the First Presbyterian Church
First Presbyterian Church, Lexington
First Presbyterian Church is a historic church at 174 N. Mill Street in Lexington, Kentucky.It was built in 1872 and added to the National Register in 1974. the church was designed by the important Lexington architect Cincinnatus Shryock who was also an elder at First Church.-See also:*National...
in Lexington, a Gothic revival structure built in 1872 and located on North Mill Street. http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/lexington/architecture.htm
His work also figures prominently in the South Hill Historic District of Lexington. http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/lexington/shi.htm
Shryock is buried in the Lexington Cemetery.