American civil engineer under whose construction exists New York City's Flatiron Building, the Lincoln Memorial, the Tomb of the Unknown at Arlington National Cemetery , the National Cathedral and the Ferncliff Cemetery Cathedral of Memories Mausoleum, Hartsdale, New York. He studied civil engineering at the University of Michigan, and while there played quarterback for the football team. After his graduation he became an assistant football coach. Baird began in the construction field first being associated with the George A. Fuller Co., a leading builder of skyscrapers. The Fuller firm was different from architecture firms of the time, in that they handled all aspects of building construction except for the design, that came from outside architects. Because of this, Fuller created the modern concept of the general contractor. In 1899, Baird directed the erection of the 22 story Flatiron Building, the first steel frame skyscraper in New York City, and is known as a quinessential symbol in Manhattan. Baird rose to become vice president in 1910 and president in 1922. While with the Fuller Company, he supervised the construction of the Lincoln Memorial and the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater at the Arlington National Cemetery. Also the Commodore Hotel in New York City, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (1921) and the Freer Gallery of Art in Washington D.C.. He left the Fuller firm in 1925 to form his own firm which he headed until retiring in 1937. Among prominent construction projects by his firm were the Internal Revenue Building (1926), the dome of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, New York City (1930) and for 15 years oversaw portions of the construction of the National Cathedral, Washington D.C. In 1929, the first unit of Ferncliff Cemetery's Cathedral of Memories mausoleum in Hartsdale, New York was completed. This mausoleum is known as one of the finest mausoleums in the United States. A final project was the construction of a swimming pool at the White House at the request of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1939 Baird donated 590 acres to the state of New York under the stipulation that it be known as James Baird State Park. His success allowed him to acquire the manor house of the original 1697 Dutchess County Beekman land grant, and subsequently he obtained several parcels that surrounded it. Included in this is the James Baird State Golf Course, designed by the nationally renowned golf architect Robert Trent Jones, and it opened in 1948. The last 17 years of his life he lived in Tucson, Arizona and was known for the philanthropy to the University of Arizona, Tuscon. His death was reported in every major newspaper in America.