Background
Hunt, Richard Morris was born on October 31, 1827 in Brattleboro, Vermont, United States. Son of Jonathon and Jane (Leawitt) Hunt.
Hunt, Richard Morris was born on October 31, 1827 in Brattleboro, Vermont, United States. Son of Jonathon and Jane (Leawitt) Hunt.
Graduate Boston Latin School, 1843. Honorary Doctor of Laws Harvard, 1892.
Travelled in Europe, Egypt, Asia Minor, 1846-1854, studied art Member Beaux Arts (Paris, France), 1846. Inspector construction additions to Louvre and Tuileries, Paris, 1854.
Draftsman under Thomas Walter for Washington Capitol.
Designed Tribune Building (containing 1st office elevators), 1873. Designed many town houses, including William Vanderbilt’s (most prominent), New York City, begun 1878, Elbridge Gerry’s, 1891, John Jacob Astor’s 1893, designed country-house “Biltmore,” Asheville, North Carolina (considered his best country-house).
Designed Administration Building World’s Fair, 1893, main portion of Metropolitan Museum Art (New York City), base of Statue of Liberty, Lenox Library, Scroll and Key Club at Yale University, National Observatory (Washington). A founder American International Assurance, 1st secretary, 1857-1860, president, 1888-1891.
Member fine arts juries in architecture sections
Paris Exposition, 1867, Centennial Exposition, Philadelphia, 1876, World’s Columbian Exposition, 1891. Recipient Queen's Gold medal Royal Institute British Architects, 1893, Monument erected to him on Fifth Avenue, New York City.
Member Beaux Arts (Paris, France), 1846. Member fine arts juries in architecture sections Paris Exposition, 1867, Centennial Exposition, Philadelphia, 1876, World’s Columbian Exposition, 1891.
Married Catharine Howland, April.