Architect. He was a partner in McKim, Mead, and White—the premier Gilded Age architecture firm. He graduated from Amherst College in 1867 and later studied under Russell Sturgis in New York City. In 1872, he collaborated with Charles Follen McKim, and in 1879, Stanford White joined them to form McKim, Mead, and White. In 1883, he married Olga Kilyeni (1850-1936) in Budapest, Hungary. In 1902, King Victor Emmanuel conferred on him the decoration of Knight Commander of the Crown of Italy for his pioneer work in introducing the Roman and Italian Renaissance architectural style in America. In 1902, Amherst College conferred upon Mead the honorary degree of LL.D. In 1909, he received an M.S. degree from Norwich University in Vermont. William and Olga lived in Rome, Italy, where he was the President of the American Academy in Rome until his death in Paris. Mussolini helped move his body to Rome for burial. Olga died in 1936 in New York City, and she gave her estate to Amherst College. The money was used to build the Mead Art building, designed by James Kellum Smith of McKim, Mead, and White, which was completed in 1949.
Architect. He was a partner in McKim, Mead, and White—the premier Gilded Age architecture firm. He graduated from Amherst College in 1867 and later studied under Russell Sturgis in New York City. In 1872, he collaborated with Charles Follen McKim, and in 1879, Stanford White joined them to form McKim, Mead, and White. In 1883, he married Olga Kilyeni (1850-1936) in Budapest, Hungary. In 1902, King Victor Emmanuel conferred on him the decoration of Knight Commander of the Crown of Italy for his pioneer work in introducing the Roman and Italian Renaissance architectural style in America. In 1902, Amherst College conferred upon Mead the honorary degree of LL.D. In 1909, he received an M.S. degree from Norwich University in Vermont. William and Olga lived in Rome, Italy, where he was the President of the American Academy in Rome until his death in Paris. Mussolini helped move his body to Rome for burial. Olga died in 1936 in New York City, and she gave her estate to Amherst College. The money was used to build the Mead Art building, designed by James Kellum Smith of McKim, Mead, and White, which was completed in 1949.
Bio by: RR
Inscription
William Rutherford Mead
Died June 20, 1928
Olga Kilenyi Mead
Died April 18, 1936
Gravesite Details
12 A on map from Non-Catholic Cemetery 12-2019. Next to the Pyramid.
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Mead memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
