Peter Harrison, detail
attributed to Louis Sands, n.d.
Oil on canvas, 36" x 29"
Redwood Library Painting
Collection
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Peter Harrison
b. York, England, June 14, 1716
d. New Haven, CT, April 30,
1775
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Merchant, sea captain, important colonial architect,
Arrives in Newport around 1739. Marries Elizabeth Pelham, a descendant
of Governor Arnold, sister-in-law of John Banister.
Notable Newport architectural works: Redwood Library, 1748-1750, which
incorporates the first classic portico in America. Designed the original
library, now known as the Harrison Room. Portrait of Harrison by Louis
Sands, a copy of c. 1756 portrait by Nathaniel Smibert and portrait of
wife c. 1754-55, attributed to Joseph Blackburn, are in Redwood possession.
Touro Synagogue, 1759-1763. Harrison, who had never seen a synagogue, created
it from the study of plans and pictures of what those abroad looked like.
The Brick Market, 1761-1772. Harrison's last and most academic building
at the intersection of Thames Street and Washington Square.
Owned property, inherited by Elizabeth's father, which has been known as
the Robert Stevens mansion. Harrison's shop may have been located here.
Location: on or near the present Bowen's Wharf.
Removes to New Haven, Connecticut in 1761. Appointed Custom Collector there
in 1768. After his death, on eve of Revolution, mob breaks into Harrison's
home and burns his extensive library which included papers and drawings.
A list of claims attributed to Harrison; one of the most prominent men
in colonial architecture; first colonist known to design buildings to be
erected by others; one of the first architects in the development of Georgian
architecture in America; and one of the first to produce a resemblance
to rusticated stonework in wood.
Claimed to be the first American architect (subjective). Due to lack of
sufficient evidence, no record exists on how or where Harrison obtained
his architectural training. The colonial architects of this period had
no formal training.
Notable works on a national scale:
- King's Chapel, Boston, MA, designed in 1749, opened for services
in 1754
- First Anglican Church in Boston. Christ Church, Cambridge, MA, 1760-1761.
Bibliography
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