Edmund Randolph Purves

Edmund Randolph Purves

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_R._Purves
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/167332151/edmund-randolph-purves

Son of Austin Montgomery and Betsey Preston Coleman Purves

THE NEW YORK TIMES: APRIL 9, 1964

Born on June 20, 1897, in Philadelphia, Mr. Purves at­tended the University of Penn­sylvania. He interrupted his architectural studies, in 1917, to join the American Field Service of the French Army. He later transferred to the American Expeditionary Force.

His service in six major en­gagements was recognized by the Croix de Guerre with Silver Star, the Verdun Medal, and field service medal and the Vic­tory Medal with four battle clasps. Returning to the university, he was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture in 1920. In the same year he was a finalist in the Paris Prize design competition.

After a period of study and travel abroad, Mr. Purves be­gan his architectural practice in Philadelphia in 1927. From 1936 to 1938 he served as presi­dent of the Pennsylvania So­ciety of Architects. He was a member of the Pennsylvania board of examiners for archi­tects from 1938-1950. From 1938-1941 he was a member of the national board of direc­tors of the A.I.A. He became its Washington representative in 1941.

Shortly thereafter, however, he again volunteered for war­time military service. He joined the Seventh Air Force in the Pacific and became chief of counter‐intelligence in the Pa­cific theater. During his ab­sence he was named a fellow of the A.I.A. A year after his return in 1945, he became the institute's director of public and professional relations. This led to his appointment as executive director.

A raconteur and gifted with a perceptive pen, Mr. Purves wrote a number of articles for the A.I.A. journal, Architec­tural Forum, and other publica­tions. He took a great interest the institute's foreign rela­tions and served as a United States delegate to the Interna­tional Union of Architects on several occasions.

He was elected an honorary corresponding member of the Royal Institute of British Arch­itects and of the Royal Archi­tects Institute of Canada.

He was a member of the Philadelphia Club, the Century Association in New York; the Cosmos Club, the Rotary Club and the Literary Society, all of Washington, and St. Anthony's Hall.

Among his other honors are the A.I.A.'s Kemper Award, a special citation from the A.I.A., the Gold Medal of the Phila­delphia chapter, A.I.A. and the F. Stuart Fitzpatrick Memorial Award and special commenda­tions from the Housing and Home Finance Agency and the United States Atomic Energy Commission, the latter for his service on the A.E.C.'s advisory board on contract appeals.

He served on the committee on economic policy of the United States Chamber of Com­merce and as chairman of the Public Works Advisory Com­mittee of the General Services Administration.

Biographical Note

1897, June 20: Born, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1917: Member, French army, American Field Service
1917 - 1919 : Member, American Expeditionary Forces
1920: B.S., University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1920: Finalist in Paris Prize design competition
1926: Married Mary Carroll Spencer
1927: Became a practicing architect
1927: Cofounder with Kenneth M. Day of Purves and Day architectural firm
1927 - 1932 : Architect with Purves and Day
1932 - 1937 : Dissolved partnership with Day in 1932 and practiced independently
1937 - 1941 : Member, architectural firm of Purves, Cope, and Stewart
1941 - 1945 : Served in United States Army, Seventh Air Force
1941 - 1949 : Director, American Institute of Architects (with leave of absence for military service)
1949 - 1961 : Executive director, American Institute of Architects
1961 - 1962 : Consulting director, American Institute of Architects
1962 - 1964 : Associate with Chatelain, Gauger, and Nolan
1964, Apr. 7: Died, Washington, D.C.