Louis Skidmore Biography

Louis Skidmore Biography
Full NameLouis Skidmore
Born08 April 1897 
Died09 September 1962
BirthplaceLawrenceburg, Indiana, U.S.
Height5′ 8” or 172 cm
SchoolUnknown
CollegeBradley Polytechnic Institute, Peoria, Illinois
Massachusetts Institute of Technology 
QualificationBachelor of Architecture
Father NameUnknown
Mother NameUnknown
WifeEloise Owings
ChildrenLouis Jr., Philip Murray
SiblingsSister
Occupation(s)Architect and Designer
Year Active1935 – 1962

Louis Skidmore was an American architect, co-founder of the architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. He was born on 08 April 1897 and his birthplace is Lawrenceburg, Indiana, United States. He completed his graduation from Bradley Polytechnic Institute, Peoria, Illinois, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). On June 14, 1930, he was married to Eloise Owings and they had had two sons Louis, Jr. and Philip Murray.

More facts About Louis Skidmore

  • Louis served as a Sergeant in the United States Army during World War I.
  • Skidmore won the ”Rotch Traveling Fellowship” prize and allowed him to travel to Europe.
  • Skidmore and Nathaniel A. Owings co-founded the SOM firm in 1936 and later John O. Merrill became the third partner in 1939.
  • During the war years, the firm built a number of large housing projects, Abraham Lincoln Houses and some major government projects.
  • SOM’s firm became one of the largest and most talked-about skyscrapers by building the most famous ”Lever House’‘ skyscraper at 390 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan in 1952.
  • Louis Skidmore served as president of the ‘New York Building Congress’ and was ‘vice-president of the Architectural League’ of New York.
  • Louis received the highest individual honor for architecture from the American Institute of Architects, the AIA Gold Medal in 1957.
Louis Skidmore partners
John Merrill, Nathaniel Owings, and Louis Skidmore (From left to right)

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