George Fletcher Babb (1835–1915) was an American architect who worked primarily in New Jersey and New York.[1] Although he designed several buildings independently, he is best known for his work as senior partner at Babb, Cook & Willard, a partnership he formed with Walter Cook in 1877.[1][2]

Babb was involved in the designing of buildings such as the De Vinne Press Building.

Career edit

In his time with Babb, Cook & Willard, Babb was involved in the design of several well known New York buildings, including the cast-iron office building and the De Vinne Press Building.[1] He was also known for designing alterations to the summer home of the sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, now the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site in New Hampshire.[2]

In addition to his architectural work, Babb was known in his time for his work designing the covers of publications such as Century Magazine and Sport with Rod and Gun.[3] He also designed the De Vinne Centennial, a motif featuring a quote in Greek by Prometheus, which was used in books printed by De Vinne beginning in 1886.[4]

Personal life edit

Babb was sometimes referred to as "Badger Babb" by his friends, who are said to have valued his "dry humor and the intricacy of his puns."[2]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Curl, James Stevens (2006-02-23). A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. OUP Oxford. p. 54. ISBN 0198606788.
  2. ^ a b c Baldwin, Charles C. (1931). "Stanford White". Da Capo Press series in architecture and decorative art. Vol. 39. New York: Dodd, Mead & Co. p. 356. ISBN 9781468462227. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  3. ^ Bruce, David Wolfe (1894). Catalogue of Early Printed Books. Grolier Club. p. 16. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  4. ^ Tichenor, Irene (16 February 2014). "The De Vinne Centennial – American Printing History Association". American Printing History Association. Retrieved 14 February 2017.