Richard Morris Hunt

Date of Birth: October 31, 1827

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: July 31, 1895

Biography

Richard Morris Hunt was a prominent American architect who played a crucial role in the development of American architecture in the 19th century. Born into a well-connected family, Hunt was the first American to attend the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he honed his skills and developed a distinctive style that would come to define many of America’s grandest buildings. He was a key figure in introducing the Beaux-Arts style to the United States, and his work includes some of the nation’s most iconic structures. Hunt’s career was marked by numerous significant projects, including the design of the pedestal for the Statue of Liberty, the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, and several buildings for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. In addition to his architectural achievements, Hunt was a founding member of the American Institute of Architects and served as its president, helping to professionalize the field in the United States.

5 Interesting Facts about Richard Morris Hunt

1. Richard Morris Hunt was the first American to study at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, the premier architecture school of the time.

2. He designed the base of the Statue of Liberty, one of the most famous landmarks in the world.

3. Hunt was a founding member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and served as its president from 1888 to 1891.

4. He was responsible for designing the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, the largest privately-owned house in the United States.

5. Hunt’s work on the Metropolitan Museum of Art includes the design of the Fifth Avenue facade, the Great Hall, and the Grand Staircase, which remain iconic features of the museum.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Richard Morris Hunt

1. “Architecture is the art which so disposes and adorns the edifices raised by man for whatsoever uses, that the sight of them may contribute to his mental health, power, and pleasure.”

2. “The dignity of architecture depends upon the proportions of the design, the appropriateness of the use of materials, and the skill of the workmen employed.”

3. “A great building must begin with the unmeasurable, must go through measurable means when it is being designed and in the end must be unmeasurable.”

4. “An architect’s most useful tools are an eraser at the drafting board and a wrecking bar at the site.”

5. “Good architecture is a matter of principles, and not of petty rules.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While exact figures are difficult to ascertain, Richard Morris Hunt’s work for some of the wealthiest families in America, including the Vanderbilts, suggests he achieved significant financial success, though specific net worth values are not documented.

Children

Richard Morris Hunt had three children: Richard Howland Hunt, Joseph Howland Hunt, and Esther Hunt. Both of his sons followed in their father’s footsteps and became architects themselves.