J. Pickering Putnam
Encyclopedia
J. Pickering Putnam, also known as J.P. Putnam or John Pickering Putnam, (April 3, 1847-February 23, 1917) was an American
architect
and designer, who "pioneered the concept of the modern apartment building." He designed many buildings in the Back Bay area of Boston
, Massachusetts
, and elsewhere. He holds a number of design patents related to plumbing, ventilation, and the like, such as US Patent No.563,064 (1896), a design for a washbasin.
Putnam graduated from the Boston Latin School
, and from Harvard College
in 1868. He then trained at the École des Beaux-Arts
, Paris
, in 1869, and the Royal Academy of Architecture, Berlin
, 1870-1872. "The War
interrupted his studies. Leaving Paris for Berlin, he was twice arrested as a Prussion spy, while sketching in the streets."
On returning to the US in 1872, he began practicing architecture, and was associated professionally for some time with George Thomas Tilden
. In 1885, Putnam married Grace Cornelia Stevens; they had 2 children: Grace Elizabeth Putnam (b.1887) and John Pickering Putnam, Jr. (b.1892). He was a member of the Boston Society of Architects; St. Botolph Club; Portfolio Club of Boston; and The Cold Cut Club of Boston.
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...
and designer, who "pioneered the concept of the modern apartment building." He designed many buildings in the Back Bay area of 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...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, and elsewhere. He holds a number of design patents related to plumbing, ventilation, and the like, such as US Patent No.563,064 (1896), a design for a washbasin.
Brief biography
Putnam was born as "John Amory Putnam" in Boston in 1847, to John Pickering Putnam (1813-1867) and Harriet Upham (1820-1905). He was one of 4 children; his siblings were Mary Upham Putnam (1843-1920); Harriet Putnam (b.1845); and Sarah Gooll Putnam (1851-1912), a painter.Putnam graduated from the Boston Latin School
Boston Latin School
The Boston Latin School is a public exam school founded on April 23, 1635, in Boston, Massachusetts. It is both the first public school and oldest existing school in the United States....
, and from Harvard College
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1868. He then trained at the École des Beaux-Arts
École des Beaux-Arts
École des Beaux-Arts refers to a number of influential art schools in France. The most famous is the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, now located on the left bank in Paris, across the Seine from the Louvre, in the 6th arrondissement. The school has a history spanning more than 350 years,...
, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, in 1869, and the Royal Academy of Architecture, Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, 1870-1872. "The War
Franco-Prussian War
The Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War, often referred to in France as the 1870 War was a conflict between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia was aided by the North German Confederation, of which it was a member, and the South German states of Baden, Württemberg and...
interrupted his studies. Leaving Paris for Berlin, he was twice arrested as a Prussion spy, while sketching in the streets."
On returning to the US in 1872, he began practicing architecture, and was associated professionally for some time with George Thomas Tilden
George Thomas Tilden
George Thomas Tilden was an American architect active in Boston, Massachusetts.Descended from the Tyldens, an English landholding dynasty and one of the early settlors of America, Tilden was born in Concord, New Hampshire to William Tilden, noted Boston Unitarian clergyman, and educated at...
. In 1885, Putnam married Grace Cornelia Stevens; they had 2 children: Grace Elizabeth Putnam (b.1887) and John Pickering Putnam, Jr. (b.1892). He was a member of the Boston Society of Architects; St. Botolph Club; Portfolio Club of Boston; and The Cold Cut Club of Boston.
Selected designs
- 1872 -- George S. Draper house, Hopedale MA; (demolished).
- 1872 -- (cottage), Nahant MA; remodel, with George T. Tilden.
- 1875 -- 63 Marlborough Street, Boston MA.
- 1876 -- Hotel Cluny, 545-547 Boylston Street, Boston MA; (demolished).
- 1877 -- Manhattan Beach Hotel, Coney Island, NY.
- 1878 -- 277 Dartmouth Street, Boston MA.
- 1878 -- 167 Marlborough Street, Boston MA.
- 1881 -- 195 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston MA.
- 1884 -- 399 Marlborough Street, Boston MA.
- 1890 -- Charlesgate Hotel, 535 Beacon Street, Boston MA.
- 1894 -- Haddon Hall, 29 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston.
- 1896 -- Commonwealth Hotel, Boston MA.
Selected writing
- The metric system of weights and measures. 1877.
- The open fire-place in all ages. 1880.
- Improved Plumbing Appliances. 1887
- Architecture under nationalism. 1890.
- The outlook for the artisan and his art. 1899. “The author shows how the change, from the profit system to Nationalism, will relieve the artisan from anxiety and enable him to put art into his daily work to an extent that the world has never yet seen.”
- Plumbing and household sanitation. 1911.
Further reading
- Our plumbing laws; Views of an Expert Upon the Sanitary Requirements of Dwelling Houses. Boston Daily Globe Jan 3, 1885. p.6.
- Work for the unemployed; Cooperative Association to Hold Mass Meeting. Several Prominent Men to Speak in Faneuil Hall Tomorrow Night. Rev Henry Vrooman, the President, Explains the Object of the Organization. Boston Daily Globe. Dec 3, 1900. p.10.
- Deborah Fulton Rau. John Pickering Putnam (1847-1917), Visionary in Boston: A Systematic Approach to Apartment House Design. Architectura 22 (1992).
External links
- http://www.worldcat.org/wcidentities/lccn-no00-14197
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/dehub/372506444/