Kenneth John Conant
Encyclopedia
Kenneth John Conant was an American architectural historian specializing in medieval architecture.
Conant was born in Neenah, Wisconsin
and studied at Harvard University
in 1911. After studying in Europe and service in the American Expeditionary Force
in World War I
, he returned and eventually taught architectural history at Harvard from 1920 through 1955.
Conant's life-work was the study of the Cluny Abbey
, near present-day Mâcon
in France, which he excavated beginning in 1927, funded by his first of five separate Guggenheim Fellowship
s. He considered Cluny the preeminent accomplishment in all of architectural history. Excavations continued until 1950. Conant retired from Harvard in 1955 but continued to publish. His most important work is Carolingian and Romanesque Architecture 800–1200 (1959).
In 1929, Conant compiled a study guide for Harvard students which was the first academic work devoted exclusively to modern architecture, also remarkable for the inclusion of American modernists who would later "fall out of the canon," notably Bertram Goodhue
.
In 1940, a group of Conant's students formed the Society of Architectural Historians
under his influence.
Conant was born in Neenah, Wisconsin
Neenah, Wisconsin
Neenah is a city on Lake Winnebago in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, United States. Its population was 24,507 at the 2000 census. The city is bordered by, but is politically independent of, the Town of Neenah. Neenah is the southwestern-most of the Fox Cities of Northeast Wisconsin...
and studied at Harvard University
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 1911. After studying in Europe and service in the American Expeditionary Force
American Expeditionary Force
The American Expeditionary Forces or AEF were the United States Armed Forces sent to Europe in World War I. During the United States campaigns in World War I the AEF fought in France alongside British and French allied forces in the last year of the war, against Imperial German forces...
in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, he returned and eventually taught architectural history at Harvard from 1920 through 1955.
Conant's life-work was the study of the Cluny Abbey
Cluny Abbey
Cluny Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in Cluny, Saône-et-Loire, France. It was built in the Romanesque style, with three churches built in succession from the 10th to the early 12th centuries....
, near present-day Mâcon
Mâcon
Mâcon is a small city in central France. It is prefecture of the Saône-et-Loire department, in the region of Bourgogne, and the capital of the Mâconnais district. Mâcon is home to over 35,000 residents, called Mâconnais.-Geography:...
in France, which he excavated beginning in 1927, funded by his first of five separate Guggenheim Fellowship
Guggenheim Fellowship
Guggenheim Fellowships are American grants that have been awarded annually since 1925 by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation to those "who have demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or exceptional creative ability in the arts." Each year, the foundation makes...
s. He considered Cluny the preeminent accomplishment in all of architectural history. Excavations continued until 1950. Conant retired from Harvard in 1955 but continued to publish. His most important work is Carolingian and Romanesque Architecture 800–1200 (1959).
In 1929, Conant compiled a study guide for Harvard students which was the first academic work devoted exclusively to modern architecture, also remarkable for the inclusion of American modernists who would later "fall out of the canon," notably Bertram Goodhue
Bertram Goodhue
Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue was a American architect celebrated for his work in neo-gothic design. He also designed notable typefaces, including Cheltenham and Merrymount for the Merrymount Press.-Early career:...
.
In 1940, a group of Conant's students formed the Society of Architectural Historians
Society of Architectural Historians
The Society of Architectural Historians is an international not-for-profit organization that promotes the study and preservation of the built environment worldwide....
under his influence.