Today In Black History
Julian F. Abele, Acclaimed Designer and Architect
Issue #579 Today In Black History, Thursday, April 25, 2024
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Today’s Black History WOW!
Julian F. Abele was born on April 26, 1881, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was a trailblazing African American architect who made significant contributions to the world of architecture during the early 20th century. Through his mother Adelaide, Julian was a descendant of Reverend Absalom Jones, founder of the Free African Society, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, and Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia.
Abele attended the University of Pennsylvania where he excelled in his studies and earned a degree in architecture in 1902. He was the first African American to graduate from the university's renowned School of Architecture.
An outstanding student, Abele received many prizes during his undergraduate years at Penn, and during his senior year, Abele served on the student yearbook committee and as president of the Architectural Society. He did all this while working all four years as a designer with the Louis Hickman Architectural Firm, juggling his job with afternoon and evening classes at the University.
After completing his education, Abele joined the architecture firm of Horace Trumbauer, where he quickly rose through the ranks to become the firm's chief designer.
Abele's architectural style was characterized by a blend of classical and modern elements, focusing on symmetry, balance, and grandeur. Some of his most notable works include the Widener Memorial Library at Harvard University, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Free Library of Philadelphia. Abele was also the architect for Eisenlohr Hall, which functions as the official home of the president of the University of Pennsylvania on the Penn campus.
Abele contributed to the design of more than 400 buildings, including the Widener Memorial Library at Harvard University, Philadelphia's Central Library, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. He was the primary designer of the west campus of Duke University, although he would not have been able to enroll at Duke at that time due to his race.
It was not until 1988 that a portrait of him was displayed at the University, and the main quad at Duke University is now officially named Abele Quad with a dedication plaque prominently placed at the busiest spot on campus.
Julian F. Abele passed away on April 23, 1950.
Today In Black History
In 1865, Confederate General J.E. Johnson surrendered the remaining Confederate forces to Union General William Sherman at Bennet Place in Durham, North Carolina, ending the Civil War.
In 1884, Jim Beckworth, a Black scout and explorer, discovered a path through the Sierra Nevada Mountains that bears his name: the Beckworth Pass on U.S. Alt 40 between Reno, Nevada and Sacramento, California. This path made overland travel to the gold fields of California possible.
In 1892, Black inventor Sarah Boone received a patent for a wooden ironing board with collapsible legs.
In 1898, Black inventor J.A. Joyce received a patent for a bucket.
In 1991, Maryann Bishop Coffey was named the first woman and first African American co-chair of the National Conference of Christians and Jews.
In 1992, Alex Haley, the author of “Roots,” posthumously won the 1992 Ellis Island Award.
In 1994, South Africa held its first all-race elections for the National Assembly and provincial parliaments.
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