Origins & Early Life

Walter Burley Griffin (November 24, 1876 – February 11, 1937) was an American architect and landscape architect. He designed Canberra, Australia's capital city, the New South Wales towns of Griffith and Leeton, and (with his wife) the Sydney suburb of Castlecrag. Influenced by the Chicago-based Prairie School, Griffin developed a unique modern style in partnership with his wife Marion Mahony Griffin. In 28 years they designed over 350 buildings, landscape and urban-design projects as well as designing construction materials, interiors, furniture and other household items.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Griffin was born on November 24, 1876, 1876 in Maywood, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. He was the eldest of the four children of George Walter Griffin, an insurance agent, and Estelle Burley Griffin. His family moved to Oak Park and later to Elmhurst. As a boy, he had an interest in landscape design and gardening, and his parents allowed him to landscape the yard at their new home in Elmhurst. Griffin attended Oak Park High School.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He considered studying landscape design but was advised by the landscape gardener O. C. Simonds to pursue a more lucrative profession. Griffin chose to study architecture...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• 13th Dalai Lama — Contemporary (Born in 1876) (1876): Spiritual leader of Tibet who championed national independence and modernization.
• Antonio López de Santa Anna — Contemporary (Died in 1876) (1876): Controversial Mexican general and politician, pivotal figure in 19th-century Mexican history.
• Constantin Brâncuși — Contemporary (Born in 1876) (1876): Pioneer of modern sculpture, Brâncuși emphasized clean lines and elemental forms.
• Alain Badiou — Contemporary (Born in 1937) (1937): Influential French philosopher known for 'Being and Event' and universalism.
• Andrew Mellon — Contemporary (Died in 1937) (1937): American banker, industrialist, and politician who served as Secretary of the Treasury.
• Anthony Hopkins — Contemporary (Born in 1937) (1937): Esteemed Welsh actor celebrated for powerful stage and screen performances.
• Baruch Spinoza — Shared historical date (11-24 · Born) (1632): Radical philosopher of the Dutch Golden Age, known for his pantheistic metaphysics.
• Benjamin Silliman — Shared historical date (11-24 · Died) (1864): Pioneering American chemist and science educator, instrumental in establishing modern scientific pedagogy.
• Antony Flew — Shared historical date (02-11 · Born) (1923): English analytic and evidentialist philosopher known for his critique of religion.
• Brandy Norwood — Shared historical date (02-11 · Born) (1979): Iconic R&B vocalist, songwriter, and actress known for her vocal prowess.
• 1876 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1876
• November 24 (11-24) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on November 24
• 1937 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1937
• February 11 (02-11) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on February 11