Montgomery Schuyler
Encyclopedia
Montgomery Schuyler, AIA, (August 19, 1843, Ithaca, NY – July 7, 1914, New Rochelle, NY) was a highly influential critic, journalist and editorial writer in New York City
who wrote about and influenced art, literature, music and architecture during the city's "Gilded Age." He was active as a journalist for over forty years but is principally noted as a highly influential architecture critic, and advocate of modern designs and defender of the skyscraper.
, the son of Eleanor Johnson and the Rev. Anthony Schuyler, one time rector of the Protestant Episcopal Church
of the Epiphany in Orange, New Jersey
. The Schuylers were one of the oldest families in New York, descendants of Philip Pieterse Schuyler
, who settled in Beverwyck (now Albany, New York
) in 1650.
Schuyler entered Hobart College in 1858 but failed to graduate
. He became a member of the Sigma Phi Society.
He married Katherine Beekman Livingston in 1876. Their families were previously connected as Schuyler's great x7 aunt had married Katherine's ancestor, Robert Livingston, first Lord of the manor of Livingston (also ancestor of both Presidents Bush and Eleanor Roosevelt
) in Albany in 1679.
, and worked as an editorial writer on The World, leaving to join the editorial staff of the New York Times in 1883. He was an editorial writer for the New York Times for twenty-four years. In addition, "he was managing editor of Harper's Weekly
from 1885–1887, and was connected with the publishing department of Harper & Bros. from 1887 to 1894, serving both in an editorial capacity and as a writer. In the last few years Mr. Schuyler had been a contributor to The Sun, and also wrote for many magazines and periodicals, particularly on the subject of architecture, in which he specialized. The modern skyscraper had a staunch advocate in Mr. Schuyler, who believed that it was a legitimate architectural expression of our times."
He was a member of the American Institute of Architects
, the National Institute of Arts and Letters, and the Century Club
.
, "taking an active interest in local affairs, acting in an advisory capacity on questions of beautifying the city and the artistic and harmonious architectural development of the town."
He died of pneumonia at his home at 250 Winyah Avenue, New Rochelle, New York, and was survived by his son, Montgomery Schuyler Jr. and sister.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
who wrote about and influenced art, literature, music and architecture during the city's "Gilded Age." He was active as a journalist for over forty years but is principally noted as a highly influential architecture critic, and advocate of modern designs and defender of the skyscraper.
Early life
Schuyler was born in Ithaca, New YorkIthaca, New York
The city of Ithaca, is a city in upstate New York and the county seat of Tompkins County, as well as the largest community in the Ithaca-Tompkins County metropolitan area...
, the son of Eleanor Johnson and the Rev. Anthony Schuyler, one time rector of the Protestant Episcopal Church
Episcopal Church (United States)
The Episcopal Church is a mainline Anglican Christian church found mainly in the United States , but also in Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe...
of the Epiphany in Orange, New Jersey
Orange, New Jersey
The City of Orange is a city and township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 30,134...
. The Schuylers were one of the oldest families in New York, descendants of Philip Pieterse Schuyler
Philip Pieterse Schuyler
Colonel Philip Pieterse Schuyler was born in Amsterdam, Holland, Republic of the Seven United Provinces, in 1627 as the son of Pieter Tjercks and Geertruyt Philips Van Schuylder. He married Margaretta van Slichtenhorst in Beverwyck or Rennsaelaerwyck, New Netherland, on 12 Dec 1650.Pieter Schuyler...
, who settled in Beverwyck (now Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
) in 1650.
Schuyler entered Hobart College in 1858 but failed to graduate
Graduation
Graduation is the action of receiving or conferring an academic degree or the ceremony that is sometimes associated, where students become Graduates. Before the graduation, candidates are referred to as Graduands. The date of graduation is often called degree day. The graduation itself is also...
. He became a member of the Sigma Phi Society.
He married Katherine Beekman Livingston in 1876. Their families were previously connected as Schuyler's great x7 aunt had married Katherine's ancestor, Robert Livingston, first Lord of the manor of Livingston (also ancestor of both Presidents Bush and Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She supported the New Deal policies of her husband, distant cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and became an advocate for civil rights. After her husband's death in 1945, Roosevelt continued to be an international...
) in Albany in 1679.
Professional career
Schuyler arrived in New York in 1865, at the end of the American Civil WarAmerican 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...
, and worked as an editorial writer on The World, leaving to join the editorial staff of the New York Times in 1883. He was an editorial writer for the New York Times for twenty-four years. In addition, "he was managing editor of Harper's Weekly
Harper's Weekly
Harper's Weekly was an American political magazine based in New York City. Published by Harper & Brothers from 1857 until 1916, it featured foreign and domestic news, fiction, essays on many subjects, and humor...
from 1885–1887, and was connected with the publishing department of Harper & Bros. from 1887 to 1894, serving both in an editorial capacity and as a writer. In the last few years Mr. Schuyler had been a contributor to The Sun, and also wrote for many magazines and periodicals, particularly on the subject of architecture, in which he specialized. The modern skyscraper had a staunch advocate in Mr. Schuyler, who believed that it was a legitimate architectural expression of our times."
He was a member of the American Institute of Architects
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
, the National Institute of Arts and Letters, and the Century Club
Century Club
Century Club may refer to:*Centurion, a variation of the drinking game known as Power Hour*The Century Association, a prominent private authors and artists club, with its own building, in New York City...
.
Later life
He retired from the New York Times in 1907 and moved to New Rochelle, New YorkNew Rochelle, New York
New Rochelle is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States, in the southeastern portion of the state.The town was settled by refugee Huguenots in 1688 who were fleeing persecution in France...
, "taking an active interest in local affairs, acting in an advisory capacity on questions of beautifying the city and the artistic and harmonious architectural development of the town."
He died of pneumonia at his home at 250 Winyah Avenue, New Rochelle, New York, and was survived by his son, Montgomery Schuyler Jr. and sister.
Quotes
- "It so happens that the work which is likely to be our most durable monument, and to convey some knowledge of us to the most remote posterity, is a work of bare utility; not a shrine, not a fortress, not a palace, but a bridge." Writing upon the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge, New York.
- His quotes on American bridges
Published works
- "Westward the Course of Empire"
- "Studies in American Architecture"
- "The Brooklyn Bridge" (with W. C. Conant)
- Articles for Harper's Magazine
- "Glimpses of western architecture. III.—St. Paul and Minneapolis" (October 1891)
- "Glimpses of western architecture. Chicago.—II" (September 1891)\
- "Glimpses of western architecture. Chicago.—I" (August 1891)
- "The Metropolitan Opera-house" (Nov 1883)
- "Recent Building in New York" (Sep 1883)
External links
- Links to his books on Amazon.com
- http://www.jstor.org/pss/988071|Review by James Early of Vassar CollegeVassar CollegeVassar College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York, in the United States. The Vassar campus comprises over and more than 100 buildings, including four National Historic Landmarks, ranging in style from Collegiate Gothic to International,...
in the Society of Architectural HistoriansSociety of Architectural HistoriansThe Society of Architectural Historians is an international not-for-profit organization that promotes the study and preservation of the built environment worldwide....
(1962)] for the book William H. Jordy and Ralph Coe, eds.Montgomery Schuyler: American Architecture and Other Writings. (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1962)