Purcell and Elmslie, Architects Firm active: 1907-1921 Minneapolis, Minnesota :: Chicago, Illinois Philadelphia, Pennsylvania :: Portland, Oregon

Images

George Grant Elmslie and his wife, Bonnie Hunter Elmslie ca. 1913	Office photograph (standing front)	Detail from office photograph
	Detail from office photograph

Pre- and Post-P&E Works

Schlesinger & Mayer Dry Goods Store Louis Sullivan and George Grant Elmslie, architects 1900/1903

National Farmers' Bank Louis Sullivan and George Grant Elmslie, architects 1905

Detail, Grille for air return in vestibule

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  Commission List for post-P&E period (1920s-1930s) 

Texts     

• Biographical essay from The Guide to the William Gray Purcell Papers, by Mark Hammons

Writings and Publications

• Bibliography of Publications
   
• Autobiographical notes (undated, circa 1940s)

    Additional information on the Elmslie can be found on the Biographical and Historical Research Manuscripts pages.

Correspondence

• Letters of George Grant Elmslie and Frank Lloyd Wright concerning Louis Sullivan (Fasten your seat belt)
   
  • GGE to FLLW, October 30, 1932
    

    This significant letter, the first of two directed toward Frank Lloyd Wright that survive from the 1930s, contains sharp criticisms from GGE concerning representations made by FLLW in his Autobiography about Louis Sullivan, a humorous (if slightly discreditable to Wright) episode from "vanished times" in the Borden Block, and indications of Elmslie's own relationship and regard for the "master." In this letter GGE takes some belatedly overt credit for work out of the Sullivan office, including the detailing of the Carson Pirie Scott building.  Don't miss the recounting of a conversation between GGE and FLLW concerning Unity Church in Oak Park, which was archetypal of Wright's tendency to please his own interests on behalf of the client; that GGE quotes Wright to himself is of particular interest.  Elmslie praises work by Wright, including the Imperial Hotel, but also indicates he sees a certain level of incompleteness in Wright's overall expressions, as well.  There is a notable paragraph by Elmslie reviewing his own "exfoliation" in ornament, as well as a prophecy--quite accurate--of a maturity yet (in 1932) to rise in Wright's designs.

  • GGE to FLLW, June 12, 1936

  Four years later, Elmslie "took interest" in Wright's review of the Sullivan biography published by Hugh Morrison. Lambasting FLLW over the course of five typed pages for personal fault toward the memory of the Master, Elmslie set down his version of who did what in the design of the Josephine Crane Bradley house in Madison, the Schlesinger and Mayer Dry Goods Store, the Condict Building, and the Owatonna bank (and, interestingly, reports that Carl K. Bennett preferred the design of Elmslie's later Merchants Bank of Winona).  GGE also notes why Charles Crane did business with P&E instead of continuing with Sullivan.  Finally, Elmslie challenges Wright to move past "the ego you adore" and tell "the Truth." This was most likely the last time Elmslie spoke to his former colleague, and it was scorched earth.

  • FLLW to GGE, June 20, 1936

Curiosa

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  A sheet of terra-cotta photographs compiled by John Jager and Fred Strauel in the 1950s showing the visible distinction between designs by Louis Sullivan and George Grant Elmslie.

Additional References

• Letter by Elmslie published in Northwest Architect with reference to Frank Lloyd Wright
• Reference to Elmslie in Northwest Architect article, by William Gray Purcell
• "George Grant Elmslie and the Chicago Scene," article by Talbot Hamlin (Pencil Points, September 1941)

Other Resources (most launch new browser window)

Courtesy Tim Loftus

A view of Elmslie's grave is available on a page of P&E works at the PrairieStyles web site.

• Finding aid list of Elmslie materials found in the Ryerson and Burnham Archives, Ryerson and Burnham Libraries, The Art Institute of Chicago.