Background
Placzek, Adolf Kurt was born on March 9, 1913 in Vienna, Austria. Son of Oswald and Pauline (Selinko) Placzek. came to the United States, 1940, naturalized, 1943.
Placzek, Adolf Kurt was born on March 9, 1913 in Vienna, Austria. Son of Oswald and Pauline (Selinko) Placzek. came to the United States, 1940, naturalized, 1943.
Student, University Vienna Medical School, 1934. Student, Institute Fine Arts, University Vienna, 1938. Bachelor of Library Science, Columbia University, 1942.
Diploma of honor, University Vienna, 1993.
Assistant librarian Avery Architectural Library, Columbia University, 1948-1960, Avery librarian, 1960-1980, emeritus, 1980-2000, adjunct professor architecture, 1971-1980, professor emeritus, 1980-1999. Commissioner New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, 1984-1993. Editor-in-chief Macmillan Encyclopedia Architects, 1982.
Editor-in-chief buildings of the United States, Oxford Press, 1984-1990, member executive committee, 1990-2000.
Served with Army of the United States, 1943-1946. Fellow Society Architectural Historians (secretary 1963-1967, director 1968-1971, Second vice president 1974-1975, 1st vice president 1976-1977, president 1978-1980). Member American Council Learned Societies (delegate 1971-1974).
Married Jan Struther, March 1, 1948 (deceased July 1953). Married Laura Beverley Robinson, January 5, 1957.