NAPOLEON EUGENE LeBRUN

Background

Napoleon Eugene Lebrun was born in 1821 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The son of a French diplomat sent to this country during President Jefferson's administration.

Education

After an early education in Philadelphia the young man was trained professionally under the late Thomas U. Walter

Career

At the age of twenty formed a partnership with architect C. Runge. A few years later however LeBrun withdrew from the association, and practically all of his important Philadelphia work was designed independently. He first won recognition as architect of the Cathedral of S. S. Peter and Paul, an important commission awarded him when he was twenty three years of age: Work was begun in 1846 and all of the church was built from his design with the exception of the facade (which was Notman’s), and he continued to supervise construction of the edifice until its final completion in 1863. Mr. LeBrun was also architect of St. Vincent's Church on Fourth Street, 1847, the Academy of Music at Broad and Locust Streets, 1852-57, and an Office Building for the Girard Estate.

Following the end of the Civil War Mr. LeBrun moved to New York where he continued practice with increasing success, designing both churches and business structures. His outstanding achievement was the Metropolitan Life Insurance Building in Madison Square, erected during 1893-94. Prior to that time he organized the firm of N. LeBrun & Sons, taking into partnership his sons Michael (d.9/27/1913) and Pierre L. both of whom assisted him in preparing plans for the tower of the Metropolitan Life Building, completed after his death.

Among other notable examples of Mr. LeBrun's work in New York should be named the Church of the Epiphany on Second Avenue at 21st Street, a Romanesque structure dating from 1870; the Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin on West 46th Street, of French Gothic design, 1895; St. John the Baptist's Church on West 30th Street, completed in 1872; Home of the New York Founding Asylum; and the Board of Education Building.

Works

More photos

• Other Work

  • Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (Philadelphia)

    (It was built from 1846-1864 and was designed by Napoleon ...)

  • St. Augustine Catholic Church, Philadelphia

    (Consecrated in 1848, the Palladian-style church was desig...)

Membership

Mr. LeBrun became a member of the New York Chapter, A. I. A. in 1868 (a year after its founding), and after serving two consecutive terms as President, continued active in furthering the interests and aims of the Chapter the rest of his life. He also represented the Chapter on the State Board of Architectural Examiners, Department of Building, over a period of eighteen years.

Connections

Son:

Pierre L. LeBRUN

Napoleone Eugene LeBRUN organized the firm of N. LeBrun & Sons, taking into partnership his sons Michael (d.9/27/1913) and Pierre L. both of whom assisted him in preparing plans for the tower of the Metropolitan Life Building, completed after his death.

Son:

Michael LeBRUN

Napoleone Eugene LeBRUN organized the firm of N. LeBrun & Sons, taking into partnership his sons Michael (d.9/27/1913) and Pierre L. both of whom assisted him in preparing plans for the tower of the Metropolitan Life Building, completed after his death.

teacher:

Thomas U. Walter

After an early education in Philadelphia Napoleon Eugene Lebrun was trained professionally under the late Thomas U. Walter

coworker:

C. Runge

At the age of twenty Napoleon Eugene Lebrun formed a partnership with architect C. Runge.