Background
Donn Barber was born on 19 October in 1871 in Washington, United States.
(This huge twenty-story structure, which Mr. Barber consid...)
This huge twenty-story structure, which Mr. Barber considered his crowning achievement, designed to combine under one roof the auditorium of the church, household apartments and a Community Center. It is the last important project on which Mr. Barber was engaged.
Donn Barber was born on 19 October in 1871 in Washington, United States.
He was educated at Yale University where he received a Philosophiae Doctor degree in 1893. After attending Columbia as a special student in Architecture, the youth continued his training at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris (1894-98).
Mr. Barber entered upon his professional career, starting with a period of practical experience acquired successively with Carrere & Hastings, Cass Gilbert and Lord 6 Hewlett. In 1900 he established his own office in the city, and won recognition in designing important buildings in a number of different cities. In New York he was architect of the Cotton Exchange Building at 60 Beaver St.; the Lotus Club, 110 West 57th St., 1909; the National Park Bank, 1904; Institute of Medical Art, later known as the Juliard School of Music. 1910; National Headquarters and Central Branch Headquarters of the Young Women's Christian Association, and the Hospital group at Randall’s Island. At Hartford he designed the Connecticut Supreme Court House, 1910, (with E. T. Hapgood, Associate Architect); the State Library (1906), the Travelers’ Insurance Building (1910), and the Hartford National Bank. In addition the Union Railroad Terminal at Chattanooga, Tenn., was built from Mr. Barber’s plans together with various other buildings, including schools and a number of fine residences.
The last important project on which he was engaged, with the plans completed at the time of his decease was the Broadway Methodist Tabernacle.
Throughout his active years Mr. Barber contributed generously of his time and effort toward furthering the interests of the profession.
He was closely identified with the American Institute of Architects, of which he had been a Fellow since 1916, the Architectural League of New York and the Beaux Arts Society of Architects, having formerly served as president of both organizations. In addition he was the first American to be admitted to the French Society of Beaux Arts Architects, was made an honorary member of the Royal British Institute of Architects.
Married Elsie Yandell, November 22, 1899.