The John Galen Howard papers span the years 1874-1954 (bulk 1888-1931). It contains correspondence, diaries, drafts and manuscripts of poems, transcripts of speeches, articles, and course lectures, relating to Howard's career as an architect, a professor, and a poet. The collection provides a look at Howard's personal and family life, his interests outside of architecture, as well as his architectural work. The collection is organized into five series: Personal Papers, Professional Papers, Faculty Papers, Office Records, and Project Records.

John Galen Howard was born May 8, 1864 in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. He began his architectural education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the nation's only architectural program at the time, although he left in 1885 before completing his degree. He apprenticed himself to Henry Hobson Richardson in Brookline, Massachusetts, gaining a practical knowledge of drafting. After Richardson's death he left the firm and went to Los Angeles where he worked with the firms Caulkin & Hass, and James M. Wood. Unhappy with the prospects in Los Angeles after a year, Howard left to tour Europe in 1888. Returning to the United States, he went to work for McKim, Mead & White, first in Boston then in New York. Encouraged by the partners of the firm, who offered financial assistance, Howard left for Paris to attend the Ecole des Beaux-Arts from 1890 to 1893. Although he left shortly before completing the training, he brought the tradition and style of the Ecole des Beaux-Arts back to the United States.

21 boxes, 5 cartons, 1 volume, 4 oversize folders, 5 tubes 2 digital objects (3 images)

Copyright has not been assigned to The Bancroft Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Bancroft Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Collection is open for research, with the following exception: Panama-Pacific International Exposition drawings are RESTRICTED (Extremely fragile). Consult the Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, regarding access.