Albert Randolph Ross

Albert Randolph Ross (October 26, 1868 – October 27, 1948) was an American architect, known primarily for designing libraries, especially those funded by Andrew Carnegie. His father, John W. Ross, was an architect based in Davenport, Iowa, and the architect of its city hall.

Education and career Albert Randolph Ross was born in 1868 in Westfield, Massachusetts, a son of architect John W. Ross. In 1874, the father relocated his practice to Davenport, Iowa, where Albert Ross graduated from high school in 1884. In 1898, he formed a partnership under the name of Ackerman & Ross with architect William S. Ackerman, a partnership they dissolved in 1901. he told the Milwaukee Journal why he settled on a traditional design:

Principal architectural works

Ackerman & Ross Carnegie Library of Washington D.C., Washington, DC, Carnegie Library, San Diego, California, by Ackerman & Ross (1903; demolished 1952). Port Jervis Free Library, Port Jervis, New York, by Ackerman & Ross (1903).

Albert Randolph Ross Carnegie Library, Atlantic City, New Jersey (1903). Taunton Public Library, Taunton, Massachusetts (1903). East Orange Public Library, East Orange, New Jersey, now the East Orange Municipal Court Building (1903). Nashville Main Library, Nashville, Tennessee (1904). Needham Public Library, Needham, Massachusetts (built 1904; demolished) Needham Free Public Library, Needham, Massachusetts (1904). Old Town Public Library, Old Town, Maine (1904). Gloversville Free Library, Gloversville, New York, Beaux Arts building listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1904). Pittsfield Public Library, Pittsfield, Maine; NRHP-listed for its architecture (1904). Public Library, Penn Yan, New York, (dedicated June 22, 1905). Cragin Memorial Library, Colchester, Connecticut (dedicated July 5, 1905). Uinta County Library, Evanston, Wyoming, now the Uinta County Museum (completed 1906). Pennsylvania Memorial, Vicksburg National Military Park, with Charles Albert Lopez, sculptor (dedicated March 24, 1906). Original portion of the Main Library of the Columbus Metropolitan Library system, Columbus, Ohio (dedicated April 4, 1907). Union Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Baltimore, designed by Ross with sculpture by Adolph Alexander Weinman (1909). Carnegie Library, Denver, Colorado; now the McNichols Civic Center Building (1910). Montclair Art Museum, Montclair, New Jersey (1914). New Rochelle Public Library (completed May 1914). Cheney Library, Hoosick Falls, New York (dedicated November 21, 1923). Public Safety Building, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (completed 1929; Alfred C. Clas, associated architect) Milwaukee County Courthouse, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (1931).

Personal life In 1901, Ross married Susan Husted, from Brookline, Massachusetts. From 1901 until 1948 his main residence was in New York City, but he also maintained a summer residence on Negro Island, near Boothbay Harbor, Maine, where he died on October 27, 1948.

Gallery