Frank furness biography

Frank Furness (1839-1912) was born in Philadelphia, PA. After completing his apprenticeship in the office of Richard Morris Hunt, he set up his own architectural practice in Philadelphia in 1867.

Influenced by the English Medievalism of Richard Morris Hunt, the writings of John Ruskin and French Classicism, Furness's designs often showed an eclectic blend of these influences. Apart from leaving his marks on the landscape of Philadelphia with such buildings as the Academy of Fine Arts, the University of Pennsylvania Library and the Girard Trust Building, Furness was also known for his designs of some of America's greatest railroad stations.

The largest cluster of Furness-designed railroad buildings still standing are in Wilmington, Delaware and they include:

• Pennsylvania Railroad French Street Station (now Amtrak Station) 1908
• Pennsylvania Building 1905
• Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (West Street Station) ca.1887

Standing at the gateway to W