Walter Boughton Chambers, AIA (September 15, 1866 – April 19, 1945) was a successful New York Cityarchitect whose buildings continue to be landmarks in the city’s skyline and whose contributions to architectural education were far-reaching.
Childhood and education
St. Nicholas Rink, New York, NYLawrence Library, Pepperell, MA
Chambers was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of attorney William P. Chambers and Caroline Smith Boughton, both of whom were New York natives.[1]
As a child both Walter and his brother, author, Robert William Chambers, attended Brooklyn Polytechnic School, from there he was accepted into the class of 1887 at Yale University, At Yale he served on the fifteenth editorial board of The Yale Record[2] and was a member of the Scroll and Key Society.
Following his graduation Chambers was unsure of his career path when his brother,Robert, suggested that he come to Paris to study architecture. In order to convince his parents that Walter doing so was a practical idea he noted Walter's proficiency in drawing buildings. Robert reminded his parents of one particular drawing Walter had made at the age of four. The image was rough picture of their church. Anyone who had been showed the drawing was surprised at the accuracy. [Pencil Points, 1928] His skeptical father took Walter to see family friend, Richard Morris Hunt, a New York architect to ask him what he thought about Walter pursuing a career in architecture. Mr Hunt's response? "That is a splendid idea "(Pencil Points 1928).
For reasons that are unknown his parents were still uncomfortable with the idea of Walter studying abroad. Caroline, who was in Munich at the time, suggested that instead of going to Paris Walter stay with her and attend the University of Munich. That summer both boys went to Munich and attended classes. Robert to courses in general art, Walter began his study of architecture One of their professors was Franz Reber who believed that art should be experienced. He put this theory into practice by taking his students on field trips whenever he was introducing a new concept.[Pencil Point, September 1928]. It is during this time that Robert wrote his first novel, "In the Quarter" which chronicled the life a student in Paris during the late 1800s (New York Times, 1932) After Munich, both young men went to Paris. Walter entered the Ecole des Beaux Arts, where he studied at the atelier of Paul Blondel, it was here he met his future architectural partner Ernest Flagg (1857-1947), a cousin of Cornelius Vanderbilt II.[3]
Practice in New York
Returning to New York, Chambers had planned on forming a practice with Ernest Flagg and others. However, he was engaged and it was decided that it would best for him to be gainfully employed. He went to work for Richard M. Hunt in the draft room where he worked with "Warrington Lawrence, Frank E Walllis, Anthony Hollond, and E.L. Masqueray." . [Pencil Points September 1928] His partnership would be with formed with Ernest Flagg in 1894. In 1897 they moved into the Mills Building at 35 Wall Street, where they remained until 1919 when they moved to 111 East 40th Street. Usually, Ernest Flagg is credited with some of the work that emerged from their partnership, including, the Singer Building (the world’s tallest building from 1908-1909), the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the Washington State Capitol and the Sheldon Library at St. Paul's School (Concord, New Hampshire). Both Walter and Ernest Flagg were favorites of the Clark family of Cooperstown, New York
Chambers was a member of the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. He resided at 7 West 43rd Street, New York, and died in New York City, aged seventy-eight. His brother Robert W. Chambers, born 1865, was a noted artist, illustrator and writer.[3]
References
^1880 U. S. William P. is the child of Dr. William Chambers and Eliza Patridge Allen who were one of the founding families of Broadalbin, New York. [History of Broadalbin, New York] Eliza, also a native of New York is a direct decedent of Roger Williams, the founding father of the state of Rhode Island. [Chambers Family tree, Ancestry.com] Dr. William is quoted as saying that he came from "Good English stock", which was more than likely on his mother's side of the family. His father, William Chambers, is most likely from Scotland, although records of proof are still to be found. His mother was Amelia Saunders of Westerly,Rhode Island. Amelia is the great granddaughter of Tobias Saunders, one of the founding father's of Westerly, Rhode Island.[Chambers Family Tree, Ancestry].
^"Record Editors". The Yale Banner. New Haven: Thomas Penney and G. D. Pettee. 1877. p. 182.
