Marcellus Eugene Wright Sr. | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | April 8, 1881 |
| Died | December 7, 1962 (aged 81) |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Spouse | Ritta Brink Stovall |
| Children | 2 |
| Buildings | Altria Theater, The Chamberlin, Hotel John Marshall |
| Projects | Colonial Williamsburg |
Marcellus Eugene Wright Sr. (April 8, 1881 – December 7, 1962) was an American architect. He was active in Richmond, Virginia and the surrounding region during the first half of the 20th century. In addition to his work on hotels, Wright was a pioneer of the Moorish Revival architectural style in his design for the Altria Theater (formerly known as the Mosque), which is a major component of the Monroe Park Historic District.
Marcellus E. Wright was born on April 8, 1881, in Hanover County, Virginia, the son of Anthony Westley Wright and Isabella Wright (née Granger). His father was a Confederate veteran who saw military service during the American Civil War at the Battle of Gaines's Mill.[1]
In 1906, Marcellus Wright married Ritta Brink Stovall at a ceremony which took place in Henrico County, Virginia. The marriage resulted in two children: Marcellus Eugene Wright Jr. and Frances Stovall Wright. Marcellus Wright Sr. was active in local politics as a member of the Democratic Party, and with his wife was involved in the Church of Christ, Scientist.[1] He died on December 7, 1962, of what were reported to be natural causes, and is buried in Hollywood Cemetery.[2]
Multiple members of the Wright family went on to make a name for themselves in architecture. In 1936, Marcellus E. Wright Jr. joined his father's architectural firm; he later became a leading light of Virginia architecture as a principal of Marcellus Wright Cox & Smith.[3][4] Oscar Pendleton Wright, brother to the senior Wright, entered into partnership with noted Richmond firm Carneal & Johnston, where he worked on local projects such as St. Joseph's Villa.[5]
During his life, Marcellus Wright Sr. served as an active member of the Sons of the American Revolution, and from 1939 to 1940 was President of its Richmond Chapter.[6] He was also a Freemason, having attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite.[7]
At the age of sixteen, Wright began work for Richmond architecture firm Noland and Baskervill, where he stayed for five years before moving to the Philadelphia firm Cope and Stewardson. He received his education from the Virginia Mechanics Institute, the Philadelphia School of Applied Art, and the University of Pennsylvania, the last of which he graduated from in 1905.[3][8] After graduating, Wright swiftly rose to prominence in the Richmond architecture scene; he was one of the eleven founding members of the Richmond Association of Architects, which was established in 1911.[9] By 1922, he had attained sufficient stature to have been elected a member of the American Institute of Architects.[10]
In April 1925, a collaboration between Marcellus Wright, Paul Philippe Cret, and Berthold Nebel produced the winning entry for a contest to design the Virginia War Memorial. Construction proceeded to the point of laying foundations before the project was scrapped. A carillon designed by Ralph Adams Cram was erected in its stead.[11]
Through the 1930s, Wright served on the Architectural Advisory Committee which presided over the Colonial Williamsburg restoration.[12]
Local architect Beth Nickels was hired to join Wright's firm in 1947 as a draftsman and project manager. Nickels was recognized by the Times-Dispatch as the first female architect from Richmond and one of the first from Virginia.[13]
Marcellus Wright's works include: