Guide to the Edward G. Lawson Papers,
1915-1937

Collection Number: 4237

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library

Contact Information:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
2B Carl A. Kroch Library
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 255-3530
Fax: (607) 255-9524
rareref@cornell.edu
http://rmc.library.cornell.edu
Compiled by:
R.M. Moudry
Date completed:
February 1986
EAD encoding:
Martin Heggestad, May 2003
Date modified:
Jude Corina, December 2012

© 2002 Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library

DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Edward G. Lawson papers, 1915-1937.
Collection Number:
4237
Creator:
Edward G. Lawson, 1884-1968.
Quantity:
3.4 cubic ft.
Forms of Material:
Photographs, a scrapbook, drawings, correspondence, and other materials.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
Abstract:
Scrapbook kept by Lawson during his years as a student at the American Academy in Rome, as a "Prix de Rome" winner in landscape architecture. Includes photographs and measured drawings of buildings and architectural details, planting lists, plans, and elevations, primarily in Italy. Also, photographs of plans of American cemeteries in France and England, 1921; photographs of Lawson, and of a portrait of Lawson; photographs of unidentified architectural details and plans; measured drawings of unidentified details; and a postcard and note sent to Lawson. Bound volumes from the American Academy in Rome and Lantern slides of illustrations from Lawson's Rome Prize thesis
Language:
Collection material in English

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Edward Godfrey Lawson was born in Buffalo, N.Y. on October 29, 1884. He attended Cornell University, receiving a B.S. in 1913 and a Master of Landscape Design in 1914. Awarded the "Prix de Rome" in Landscape Architecture in 1915, he studied at the American Academy in Rome, and was elected a fellow of the American Academy in 1920. During World War I, he served in the Italian Red Cross, from 1917 to 1919. From 1920 to 1922, Lawson planned military cemeteries in France, England, and Belgium for the U.S. Graves Registration Service, Paris. He returned to the United States, and was appointed assistant professor of landscape architecture at Cornell in 1922, where he taught until ca.1940. He worked for the House of Herbs, the first center of herb culture in the United States, until his retirement in 1964. On January 4, 1968, Lawson died at Winter Park, Florida.
COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Scrapbook kept by Lawson during his years as a student at the American Academy in Rome, as a "Prix de Rome" winner in landscape architecture. Includes photographs and measured drawings of buildings and architectural details, planting lists, plans, and elevations, primarily in Italy. Also, photographs of plans of American cemeteries in France and England, 1921; photographs of Lawson, and of a portrait of Lawson; photographs of unidentified architectural details and plans; measured drawings of unidentified details; and a postcard and note sent to Lawson.
Also bound volumes from the American Academy in Rome, with article and photographs of the Villa Gamberaia, by Edward Lawson, compiled by Edward Lawson, 1927; Villa Medici, Rome, written and compiled by Edward Lawson, 1930; Villa d'Este at Tivoli, by Michael Rapuano, compiled by Lawson, 1933; Villa Palmieri, Florence, by Michael Rapuano, compiled by Lawson, 1935; Villa Medici at Fiesole near Florence, by Norman T. Newton, compiled by Lawson, 1935; and Villa Cicogna Bisuschio, by Ralph E. Griswold, compiled by Lawson, 1937. Includes colored architectural drawing of the Villa Camberaia at Settignano created by Lawson.
Lantern slides (8) of illustrations from Lawson's Rome Prize thesis.
SUBJECTS

Names:
Lawson, Edward G. (Edward Godfrey), 1884-1968.
American Academy (Rome, Italy)

Subjects:
Landscape architecture.
Cemeteries--Landscape architecture.
National cemeteries, American.
Landscape architects.

Form and Genre Terms:
Architectural drawings.
Scrapbooks.
Photographs.
INFORMATION FOR USERS

Cite As:
Edward G. Lawson papers, #4237. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
CONTAINER LIST

Date
Description
Container
ca. 1915-1920
Sketches of architectural details
 Box 1 Folder 1
ca. 1915-1920
Sketches of architectural details
 Box 1 Folder 2
n.d.
Photographs (misc. plans and details)
 Box 1 Folder 3
n.d.
Lawson - portraits and photographs - projects, Williamsport, Pa. and Falls Village, Ct.
Box 1 Folder 4
1921
European cemeteries (plans)
 Box 1 Folder 5
n.d.
Correspondence, lists
 Box 1 Folder 6
n.d., 1915-1929
Printed maps and articles
 Box 1 Folder 7
ca. 1915-1920
Scrapbook
 Box 1
Garden Details, Foun
 Box 2
Garden Details, Foun
 Box 3
Fountains, Garden De
 Box 4
Sculpture
 Box 5
Renaissance Interior
 Box 6
Renaissance I[taly]
 Box 7
1915
Inoui, NY (?) Gardens and Terraces drawing, removed from collection #1380
Box 8
n.d.
8 lantern slides of illustrations from Lawson's Rome Prize thesis
 Box 9
Architectural details on yellow tracing paper (5 pieces)
 Map case
Architectural drawing of the Villa Gamberaia
 Map case