John A. Lankford
Encyclopedia
John A. Lankford was an American architect. He was the first professionally licensed African-American architect in Virginia in 1922 and in the District of Columbia in 1924. He has been regarded as the "dean of black architecture".
John Landsford was born on a farm near Potosi, Missouri
on December 4, 1874. He attended Lincoln Institute and Tuskegee Institute
. He studied architectural and mechanical drawing from the International Correspondence School. He earned a bachelor of science
from Shaw University
in 1898. He earned master of science
degrees from Morris Brown College
and Wilberforce University
.
He married Charlotte Josephine Upshaw in 1901. She was the granddaughter of Henry McNeal Turner
, a bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal church.
In 1902, he moved to Washington, D.C.
to finish the design of the True Reformer Building. He was appointed supervising architect for the African Methodist Episcopal denomination. He organized the National Negro Business League
chapter in Washington, D.C. in 1905.
He lived and worked at 1448 Q Street, NW, in Washington.
He died on July 2, 1946 in Washington, D.C. and is buried at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Suitland, Maryland.
Buildings he designed include:
John Landsford was born on a farm near Potosi, Missouri
Potosi, Missouri
Potosi is a city in Washington County, Missouri, United States. Potosi is about 10 miles north of Belgrade. The estimated population in July 2008 was 2,698. It was 2,662 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Washington County...
on December 4, 1874. He attended Lincoln Institute and Tuskegee Institute
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee University is a private, historically black university located in Tuskegee, Alabama, United States. It is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund...
. He studied architectural and mechanical drawing from the International Correspondence School. He earned a bachelor of science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
from Shaw University
Shaw University
Shaw University, founded as Raleigh Institute, is a private liberal arts institution and historically black university in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1865, it is the oldest HBCU in the Southern United States....
in 1898. He earned master of science
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
degrees from Morris Brown College
Morris Brown College
Morris Brown College is a private, coed, liberal arts college located in the Vine City community of Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It is a historically black college affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church...
and Wilberforce University
Wilberforce University
Wilberforce University is a private, coed, liberal arts historically black university located in Wilberforce, Ohio. Affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church, it was the first college to be owned and operated by African Americans...
.
He married Charlotte Josephine Upshaw in 1901. She was the granddaughter of Henry McNeal Turner
Henry McNeal Turner
Henry McNeal Turner was a bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.-Personal Biography:Turner was born "free" in Newberry Courthouse, South Carolina . Instead of being sold into slavery, his family sent him to live with a Quaker family. The law at the time of his birth prevented a black...
, a bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal church.
In 1902, he moved to Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
to finish the design of the True Reformer Building. He was appointed supervising architect for the African Methodist Episcopal denomination. He organized the National Negro Business League
National Negro Business League
The National Negro Business League was an American organization founded in Boston, Massachusetts in 1900 by Booker T. Washington, with the support of Andrew Carnegie...
chapter in Washington, D.C. in 1905.
He lived and worked at 1448 Q Street, NW, in Washington.
He died on July 2, 1946 in Washington, D.C. and is buried at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Suitland, Maryland.
Buildings he designed include:
- Arnett Hall, Wilberforce UniversityWilberforce UniversityWilberforce University is a private, coed, liberal arts historically black university located in Wilberforce, Ohio. Affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church, it was the first college to be owned and operated by African Americans...
- Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Atlanta, Georgia
- Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Columbia, South Carolina
- Chapelle Administration Building at Allen UniversityAllen University-External links:* -- Official web site...
, which is a National Historic LandmarkNational Historic LandmarkA National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance... - Haven African Methodist Episcopal Church, Washington, D.C.
- St. John's African Methodist Episcopal Church, Norfolk, Virginia
- True Reformer Hall in Washington, D.C.