Edward Fairfax Neild Sr. FAIA (December 3, 1884 – July 6, 1955), was an American architect originally from Shreveport, Louisiana. He designed the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence, Missouri. He was selected for the task by U.S. President Harry Truman.
Edward Fairfax Neild Sr. | |
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Born | |
Died | July 6, 1955 | (aged 70)
Resting place | Forest Park East Cemetery in Shreveport |
Alma mater | Tulane University |
Occupation(s) | Architect of Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum and many public buildings in Louisiana |
Spouse | Ethel Land Neild (married 1907-1955, his death) |
Children | Edward F. Neild Jr. Elizabeth "Betty" Neild Van Hook |
Parent(s) | George Frederick and Elizabeth Moss Neild |
He was in partnerships Neild, Somdal and Neild, Somdal, Neild, with Dewey A. Somdal (1898-1973) and with his son, Edward Fairfax Nield Jr.[1] (October 7, 1908 – November 8, 1958). Somdal Associates, Shreveport, is the descendant of the Neild firm.[2]
Neild served as president of the Shreveport chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1926 and from 1937 to 1939; Dewey Somdal was the president from 1940 to 1943; Edward F. Nield Jr., in 1951.[3] In 1948, Neild was among twenty distinguished architects selected as fellows of the American Institute of Architects.[4]
Other Neild-designed buildings in Shreveport include: the Louisiana State Exhibit Building at the Louisiana State Fairgrounds, Schumpert Hospital, Barret Elementary School, C. E. Byrd High School, the Scottish Rite Cathedral, the Calanthean Temple, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans (Shreveport, Louisiana), and the Overton Brooks Veterans Administration Medical Center.[4]
A number of Neild's works have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places as significant buildings for their architecture.[5] Nield's son, Edward F. Neild Jr. (1908 - 1958), was also an architect and designed the Hirsch Memorial Coliseum in Shreveport. From 1937 to 1938, the two men worked together on the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum in Shreveport, which opened in 1939.
Neild died in Kansas City, Missouri, at the age of seventy. The Neilds are interred at Forest Park Cemetery East in Shreveport.[6]
Other Neild works include (with attribution):