Early American cabinetmaker and possibly the finest furniture craftsman that America produced.
Background
Was born in Dartmouth, Mass., on Jan. 20, 1724, the son of Daniel Goddard, a shipwright. In 1746 he married Hannah Townsend, daughter of Job Townsend. His father-in-law is supposed to have been the master to whom Goddard was apprenticed and from whom he learned the craft. His work was done in Newport, R.I., famous as a town of wealth.
Career
Goddard's fame is based on his exquisite secretary desks. He also made large and small tables as well as clockcase hoods and chairs. His desks had sufficient individuality to make them a type by themselves and for a long time, until investigation showed that they were made by one person, they were known as "Rhode Island desks." Goddard was a follower of Chippendale, and much of his work was according to the Queen Anne tradition. He was partial to mahogany and bonnet-top broken pediments. His block-front treatment was applied not only to secretaries but also to knee-hole desks and chests (highboys and lowboys). In honesty and simplicity of design and appropriate use of material Goddard's work is outstanding in furniture craftsmanship.