Background
Oran Winthrop Rice was born in 1871 in Massachusetts, United States.
Oran Winthrop Rice was born in 1871 in Massachusetts, United States.
He completed an early education in Fitchburg.
In Boston where he began architectural study, he was trained in draftsmanship in the office of Williard M. Bacon and R. Clipton Sturgis, later moved to New York and secured a position with the firm of Hale & Rogers. After serving as chief draftsman in that office for a few years Mr. Rice entered Starret & Van Vleck s office, subsequently became a partner in the firm.
Over a period of two decades he was identified with the design of Starret & Van Vleck's important works in New York, namely the Lord & Taylor Building, 1913; Home Office of the Equitable Life Insurance Company, 1927; Building at #8 West 40th Street; Royal Insurance Building, 1928, and the Stock Exchange Curb. In addition Mr. Rice assisted in preparing plans for the Montclair (N. J.) High School.