Henry Austin: In Every Variety of Architectural Style

Henry Austin's (1804-1891) works receive consideration in books on nineteenth-century architecture, yet no book has focused scholarly attention on his primary achievements in New Haven, Connecticut, in Portland, Maine, and elsewhere. Austin was most active during the antebellum era, designing exotic buildings that have captured the imaginations of many for decades. James F. O'Gorman deftly documents Austin's work during the 1840s and '50s, the time when Austin was most productive and creative, and for which a wealth of material exists. The book is organized according to various building types: domestic, ecclesiastic, public, and commercial. O'Gorman helps to clarify what buildings should be attributed to the architect and comments on the various styles that went into his eclectic designs. Henry Austin is lavishly illustrated with 132 illustrations, including 32 in full color. Three extensive appendices provide valuable information on Austin's books, drawings, and his office.

JAMES F. O'GORMAN is McNeil Professor Emeritus at Wellesley College. He is chairman of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission and author of numerous books, including Living Architecture: A Biography of H. H. Richardson (1996), ABC of Architecture (2000), and Connecticut Valley Vernacular (2002).

A career begins — Domestic architecture of the 1840s and 1850s — Ecclesiastical architecture of the 1840s and 1850s — Public and commercial buildings of the 1840s and 1850s — Some later buildings — Austin's books — The Austin drawing collection at Yale University — Austin and his office.