Louis Sullivan Prophet of Modern Architecture

by Hugh Sinclair Morrison

First published over sixty years ago, Hugh Morrison's Louis Sullivan: Prophet of Modern Architecture was the first definitive biography of the now-famous architect and is still the best introduction to his work. This reissue provides Morrison's classic text, completely redesigned and reset in a larger, more modern format. It also offers an assessment of Hugh Morrison's ground-breaking research, in Timothy J. Samuelson's Introduction, and, most important, an authoritative revision of the chronological List of Buildings, including corrections of the data in light of six decades of research. The most complete and up-to-date summary of Louis Sullivan's work, both built and unbuilt, the Building List contains information on buildings discovered since the original publication, incorporates new information on specific buildings, and notes the status of buildings demolished since first publication.

Genres: Architecture, Biography

317 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Pat Lawlor · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting biography of the great architect, warts and all. Although this book was written in 1935, the biography part is fresh and interesting. I would need to research to see if individual buildings are still standing with each Chicago trip. I know the Auditorium Theatre still shines!

[Czarny Pies · Rating 4 out of 5]

This excellent biography of Louis Sullivan first published in 1962. It is unlikely to ever be superseded because the six Sullivan buildings have disappeared in the 52 years since Morrison's book appeared and because Morrison was able during his lifetime to have viewed another 7 Sullivan buildings that had also been demolished before he wrote his book. Future biographers will be forced to base their evaluations of these buildings on Sullivan's plans and the comments of architect critics from an earlier day including Morrison.

This is a readable coherent interpretation of Sullivan's work from the pen of a broadly acknowledged expert on the Chicago school of architecture. Morrison's analysis is in most ways similar to that of other noted authorities including Frnak Lloyd Wright who began his career in Sullivan's practice and Henry Russell Hitchcock. Without a doubt this is the Sullivan biography to read.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written originally in the thirties, Morrison's book was the first evaluation of Sullivan after his not-very-glamorous demise. To that end, this comes off as an extremely well researched and comprehensive effort (the later editions have revisions/updates I seem to recall) so this is definitely one to read in addition to the newer offerings.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written shortly after his death...the writer was rather forward looking to realize the impact Sullivan would have. It is a little frustrating though when the auther keeps mentioning that certain buildings are still standing when I know they aren't.