Background
Benjamin Morris Jr. was born in Portland, Oregon, United States on October 23, 1870.
Benjamin Morris Jr. was born in Portland, Oregon, United States on October 23, 1870.
He attended the Bishop Scott Academy in Oregon, and then St. Paul's Preparatory School in Concord, New Hampshire. Intending to become a minister, he attended Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, but he later decided to become an architect and graduated from Columbia University in 1894. In 1895 and 1896 he continued his studies at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris.
Upon his return to the United States, Morris joined the firm of Carrère and Hastings, where he assisted in preparing the successful entry for the design of the New York Public Library.
Morris started his own practice in 1900. He later formed the firm of Morris, Butler and Rodman, but soon withdrew from the practice and worked alone until 1910, when he formed a partnership with Christopher Grant LaFarge as LaFarge & Morris. That firm lasted until 1915. Morris later formed Morris & O'Connor with his son-in-law, Robert B. O'Connor. Morris worked with O'Connor until Morris' death in 1944.
In his native Portland, Morris designed the Wells Fargo Building in 1907. It is considered the city's first skyscraper. He designed many important buildings in Connecticut and New York, including the Cunard Building (with Carrère and Hastings), the Union League Club of New York, and 48 Wall Street, as well as the interiors of the Queen Mary and the Harmonie Club. In addition, he designed residences in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn and Long Island for watch case manufacturer Joseph Fahys
He was survived by his wife, Alice Fenwick Goodwin, daughter Mary Wistar O'Connor, and son Benjamin.