George Browne Post

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Post, George Browne (1837–1913). American architect and engineer who contributed to the origin and development of the early skyscraper from c.1870. Architecturally eclectic and competent, he was more noted for his grasp of planning and structural principles. He designed many hotels, and evolved the modern hotel-plan with a bath in each room (e.g. Statler Hotel, Buffalo, NY (1911–12)). He contributed to the design of the Equitable Life Assurance Building, NYC (1868–70—destroyed), one of the very first structures designed with a lift or elevator, thus helping to develop the planning and organization of tall buildings. The Western Union Building, NYC (1873–5—demolished), was, with Hunt's Tribune Building, one of the earliest skyscrapers, essentially Classical in its arrangement of a base, middle section (shaft), and crowning element (cornice). The monumental New York Produce Exchange (1881–5—destroyed) was constructed with a complete metal structure within outer load-bearing walls, and influenced Sullivan. His Stock Exchange, New York (1901–3—probably his best-known surviving building, has a handsome Corinthian in antis pedimented front. Other works included the Vanderbilt House (1879–94), Pulitzer Building (1889–90), and St Paul Building (1897–9), all destroyed, and all in NYC Post's earliest buildings (e.g. the domed Williamsburgh (later Republic) Savings Bank, Brooklyn, NYC (1869–75), and the Savings Bank, Troy, NY (1981–5) ), were in a French Second Empire style. His State Capitol, Madison, WI (1906–17—Classical) and City College, NYC (1897–1907—Gothic, with faïence cladding) were works of some distinction.

Bibliography

Condit (1960, 1961);
Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians xii/1 (Mar. 1953) 13–21, xxxi/3 (Oct. 1972), 176–203, and xlvi/4 (Dec. 1987), 342–55;
S. Landau (1998);
S. Landau & and Condit (1996);
Placzek (ed.) (1982);
Sturgis et al. (1971a);
Helen Searing (ed.) (1983);
Jane Turner (1996);
Whiffen & and Koeper (1983);

George Browne Post 1837–1913, American architect, b. New York City, grad. New York Univ., 1858, in civil engineering, and studied architecture with R. M. Hunt. He was one of the leaders in a notable group that helped regenerate American architecture in the period from 1875 to 1890. A member of the National Commission of Fine Arts, he was a medalist and president (1876–99) of the American Institute of Architects. He designed, among other buildings, the Produce Exchange, the Stock Exchange, the buildings of the College of the City of New York, and the World building, all in New York City, and the Wisconsin state capitol.

Post, George Browne (1837–1913) Union army officer, born in New York City. Post trained as a civil engineer and enjoyed a successful career as an architect. During the Civil War he served as an aide-de-camp to Gen. Ambrose Burnside and, as a member of the National Guard after the conclusion of the war, reached the rank of colonel.

As an architect, he is best known for his design for the Western Union Telegraph Building (1873–75).