About William Plummer
Lived 1873 – 1943 (aged 69–70). William Plummer was an American cabinetmaker and inventor.
William M. Plummer (1873–1943) was an African American cabinetmaker and inventor from Smyth County, Virginia. His decorative work is part of both the tradition of American decorative arts
Career
Bill spent most of his life in Smyth County with his wife and family, where he worked as a machinist in the automobile industry. While working he also built bicycles, a motorcycle, an airplane, furniture, and a banjo decorated with stars.
The elaborate phonograph cabinet which he created is in the permanent collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped William Plummer's
Frequently asked questions
Who was William Plummer?
African American artist (1873–1943)
When was William Plummer born?
William Plummer was born in 1873.
When did William Plummer die?
William Plummer died in 1943.
What was William Plummer's occupation?
William Plummer was a cabinetmaker and inventor.
What nationality was William Plummer?
William Plummer was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Plummer. https://biography.guide/william-plummer/
MLA: "William Plummer." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-plummer/.
Chicago: "William Plummer." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-plummer/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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