Early American Furniture Maker. His skills as a furniture manufacturer allowed him to incorporate fashionable European trends into an exclusive style of American furnishings. He was born Duncan Fife in Scotland on 27 April 1770, near Loch Fannich. His parents were Donald and Isobel (Grant) Fife. Duncan emigrated with his family to Albany, New York in 1784, where he served as a cabinetmaker's apprentice. He moved to New York City, New York, in 1791, working with established cabinetmakers Isaac Nichols and Seabury Champlin in the furniture manufacturing trade. Duncan married Rachel Louzada on 17 February 1793 at New York City, New York. In 1794, he changed the spelling of his last name to the more classical-looking Phyfe and opened his own business, making Neoclassical furniture for the social and mercantile elite of New York City, Philadelphia, and the American South. Demands for his furniture reached its peak between 1805 and 1820, but remained a dominant figure in the trade until 1847, when he retired. Between 1837 and 1847, he took his sons, Michael and James D. Phyfe as business partners. He never wavered from the Neoclassical style of furniture making, even when the emerging historical revival furniture styles, such as Gothic and Rococo, gained popularity around 1840. He died in New York City, New York. Duncan Phyfe's furniture is the focal point of the White House Green Room at Washington, D.C.
Early American Furniture Maker. His skills as a furniture manufacturer allowed him to incorporate fashionable European trends into an exclusive style of American furnishings. He was born Duncan Fife in Scotland on 27 April 1770, near Loch Fannich. His parents were Donald and Isobel (Grant) Fife. Duncan emigrated with his family to Albany, New York in 1784, where he served as a cabinetmaker's apprentice. He moved to New York City, New York, in 1791, working with established cabinetmakers Isaac Nichols and Seabury Champlin in the furniture manufacturing trade. Duncan married Rachel Louzada on 17 February 1793 at New York City, New York. In 1794, he changed the spelling of his last name to the more classical-looking Phyfe and opened his own business, making Neoclassical furniture for the social and mercantile elite of New York City, Philadelphia, and the American South. Demands for his furniture reached its peak between 1805 and 1820, but remained a dominant figure in the trade until 1847, when he retired. Between 1837 and 1847, he took his sons, Michael and James D. Phyfe as business partners. He never wavered from the Neoclassical style of furniture making, even when the emerging historical revival furniture styles, such as Gothic and Rococo, gained popularity around 1840. He died in New York City, New York. Duncan Phyfe's furniture is the focal point of the White House Green Room at Washington, D.C.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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