Background
The son of American missionaries, Haskell was born in the Ottoman Empire, in the Balkan city of Monastir, now Bitola in the Republic of Macedonia.
The son of American missionaries, Haskell was born in the Ottoman Empire, in the Balkan city of Monastir, now Bitola in the Republic of Macedonia.
After returning to the United States, he graduated from Oberlin College in 1923.
Today he is widely known for his 1952 coinage of the term Googie architecture in a 1952 article in House and Home magazine. Shortly after this he became an editor at a national Student magazine, The New Student. In 1927 he joined the editorial staff of the New York City-based magazine Creative Artist
He was the architecture critic of The Nation from 1929 until 1942, and was twice the associate editor of Architectural Record, in 1929-1930 and from 1943-1949.
He wrote for numerous other publications, including the English journal Architectural Review and Harper"s Magazine. In 1949, he became the editor of Architectural Forum, a post he held until his retirement in 1964.
Haskell was also an adjunct professor at Pratt Institute and at Columbia University. His papers are held at Columbia University"s Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library.
He was the elder brother of scientist Edward Haskell.
Fellow American Institute of Architects (special citation New York chapter 1978, medal for contributors to architectural practice 1979). Member Society Architectural Historians, New York Architectural League, Association Collegiate Schools Architecture, Municipal Art Society New York, National Council Churches (architectural advising committee), Citizens Union New New York Clubs: National Arts, University.
Married Helen Lacey, August 22, 1924.