Walter Curt Behrendt papers, 1910-1945
Collection context
- Creator:
- Behrendt, Walter Curt, 1884-1945
- Abstract:
- Walter Curt Behrendt (1884-1945) was a German-American architect and an active advocate of German modernism. The collection is composed primarily of lectures and writings.
- Extent:
- 3 manuscript boxes
- Language:
- English .
- Scope and content:
-
The Walter Curt Behrendt papers are composed primarily of lectures and writings.
Series I: Faculty Papers contains papers related to Behrendt's career at Dartmouth College, including attendance cards, a grade book, examinations and a proposal for a class on building types from the Middle Ages to the present. The series also includes drafts of a letter explaining how Behrendt believes architects should be educated.
Series II: Lectures contains scripts, notes and slide lists of lectures Behrendt gave at Dartmouth College, Princeton University, Wheaton College and talks he gave in Germany. Most of the lectures are annotated. The majority of the lectures deal with the development of cities, city planning, regional planning, modern architecture, housing, transportation and zoning. The lectures cover the history of architecture from antiquity through the 1940s, including Greek, Rome, the Arts and Crafts Movement, the Art Nouveau Movement, and the International Style.
Series III: Personal Papers contains two letters from the contractor W.H. Trumbull regarding the construction of Behrendt's house. It also contains a letter from J. F. Schoellkopf, Jr. regarding the National Recreation Association. The series also contains biographical information, which lists Walter Curt Behrendt's education, civil service work in Prussia and Germany, and his career after he emigrated to the US in 1934.
Series IV: Writings contains annotated manuscripts by Behrendt covering city planning, modern architecture and housing. There are essays on organic forms, Frank Lloyd Wright, Japanese houses, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the New Spirit of Building and the Origin of the Spirit of Modern Architecture. Subseries 2: Articles primarily contains articles on urban reconstruction and German architecture and architects such as, Alfred Messels, Hans Grisebach, and Hans Poelzig. Subseries 3: Book Reviews contains reviews written by Behrendt. Behrendt reviewed books by Lewis Mumford, Herman Kobbe and Henry-Russell Hitchcock.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Walter Curt Behrendt was born December 16, 1884 in Metz, Alsace and died in April 26, 1945 in Norwich, Vermont. From 1912-1933, Behrendt worked in Civil Service in Germany shaping public housing policy, the principles of lay-out and development. Behrendt emigrated to the United States in 1934 and became a Visiting Lecturer in Housing and City Planning at Dartmouth College, 1934-1937. In 1937-1941, Behrendt was a Professor of City Planning and Housing at the University at Buffalo, SUNY and returned to Dartmouth in 1941.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
This collection is available for use by appointment in the Department of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University. For further information, please email avery-drawings@library.columbia.edu.
- Terms of access:
-
Permission to publish must be obtained in writing from the Director, Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library, Columbia University, 1172 Amsterdam Ave., MC 0301, New York, NY 10027.
- Preferred citation:
-
Walter Curt Behrendt papers, 1910-1945. Department of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University.
- Location of this collection:
- Before you visit:
- Researchers are encouraged to request materials at least one month in advance. You will receive an email from the department within 2-3 business days confirming your request and currently available appointment times. Requests are limited to 8 boxes per day (or equivalent), with a maximum of 5 boxes for off-site materials, 5 folders of drawings, or 5 rolls or tube boxes.
- Contact:
- avery@library.columbia.edu