Background
Greenwell was born in Windsor and was educated at Newington College (1897–1901).
Greenwell was born in Windsor and was educated at Newington College (1897–1901).
Greenwell studied architecture at Sydney Technical College because there was no university architecture course available in Sydney, but also attended architecture lectures in the Engineering Faculty at University of Sydney. He later studied at the University of Pennsylvania and was awarded a Bachelor of Science(Architecture) in 1911.
He was also a philanthropist who made bequests to the University of Sydney funds research in Anthropology and Archaeology. During this time, Greenwell designed a number of now heritage-listed houses for family and friends in Strathfield, New South Wales and Killara, New South Wales. His design for a substantial domestic dwelling in Woodside Avenue, Strathfield, is characteristic of his houses of this period.
Another notable design showing his distinctive rough-cast stucco columns is "Terhyn Worthle" which was featured in "Domestic architecture in Australia" edited by William Hardy Wilson (Sydney: Angus and Robertson, 1919).
These homes had elements of the Federation Arts and Crafts and Federation Bungalow styles. After the departure of Harry Kent, the firm became known as Budden & Greenwell.
In 1931, while in partnership as "Greenwell & Shirley", Greenwell designed the "Norman House" in Vaucluse. Greenwell served as an Army Officer in both World War I and World World War World War II
Greenwell died at Collaroy, New South Wales, on 7 February 1961.
His estate funded the "Carlyle Greenwell Research Fund" at Sydney University for student research, field work and original literary work in Anthropology.
A substantial bequest to the Art Gallery of NSW included works by George Lambert, Sydney Long, Kenneth McQueen and John Passmore. Over many years he was also a major donor to the Australian Museum.