James Gallier

GALLIER, James, Sr., architect. Born, Ravensdale, Louth County, Ireland, July 24, 1798; son of Thaddeus and Margaret Taylor Gallier. Educated in local schools; apprenticed in the building trade; studied architectural drawing at School of Fine Arts, Dublin. Married (1) Elizabeth Tyler, 1823, Shropshire, Ireland. Worked briefly in Ireland and England; migrated to New York City, 1832; published American Builder's General Price Book and Estimator (1833). Removed in 1834 to New Orleans; 1835 commission for St. Charles Exchange Hotel built his reputation; favored Greek Revival style; designed and/or built Merchants Exchange, old and new Christ Church, St. Patrick's Church, Commercial Exchange (later Masonic Temple), and Municipal Hall (old New Orleans City Hall, now Gallier Hall); design for Ashland Plantation attributed to him; failing sight caused retirement in 1849. Married (2) Catherine Robinson of Mobile, Ala., 1850, in Charleston, S. C.; spent remainder of life traveling; owned home on Lake Constance, Switzerland. Published autobiography, 1864. Perished with wife, October 3, 1866, on steamer Evening Star in hurricane off Cape Hatteras. Marble cenotaph in St. Louis Cemetery III designed by son, James Gallier, Jr. (q.v.) in his memory. J.B.C. Sources: James Gallier Autobiography (1864; reprint ed., 1973); William R. Cullison III, Architecture in Louisiana: A Documentary History (1883).

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