Charles Cushing Wright (born 1 May 1796, in Damariscotta, Maine, died 7 June 1857, in New York City)[1] was an American engraver and medalist. In 1825 he was a founding member of the National Academy of Design.
Wright was first apprenticed to a silversmith in Utica, New York, then came to New York City in 1823 and established a partnership with the painter Asher Brown Durand until 1827, named Durand and Wright, Engravers.[2]
Together with Samuel Morse, Durand and others, Wright was one of the "First Fifteen" founders of the National Academy of Design in 1825.[2]
Charles Cushing Wright has been called "The First American Medalist".[3] He both designed and cut his medals[4] 17 of which are currently in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.[5]
Wright married Lavinia Delliber (died July 6, 1860), a Huguenot from Charleston, South Carolina and a direct descendant of the second settlers of that city. He was the father of the notable physician Hannah Amelia Wright.[6]
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