Edward Brickell White

Life

Edward Brickell White was born on January 29, 1806, on the Chapel Hill Plantation of St. John's Berkeley Parish, South Carolina. His father was the planter and artist, John Blake White, and his mother was Elizabeth Allston White.

In 1826, he graduated from the United States Military Academy, where he studied engineering. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army artillery. On April 8, 1832, he married Delia Adams in New London, Connecticut. Following his resignation in August 1836, he surveyed for several railroads. Later that year he moved to Charleston, South Carolina, to practice architecture, engineering, and surveying.

His first major work was the Greek Revival Market Hall, which is a National Historic Landmark (NHL) in Charleston.

He was the architect of many churches including the Gothic Revival Huguenot Church (NHL) in Charleston; the Gothic Revival Trinity Episcopal Church in Columbia, which is on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP); the wooden Gothic Revival Church of the Cross (NRHP) in Bluffton; and the steeple of St. Philip's Church (NHL) in Charleston. In 1842, he designed the sanctuary of St. Matthew's German Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Ansonborough section of the city. He was the architect for Grace Church Cathedral (Episcopal) at 98 Wentworth St., Charleston, SC, a Gothic Revival church built in 1847-1848. Likewise, he designed the Centenary Methodist Church at 60 Wentworth St., Charleston, SC in about 1842. In 1841, his design for St. Johannes Lutheran Church, 48 Hasell St., Charleston, SC was built.

The 21 ft granite Doric granite column for the Daniel Morgan Monument (NRHP) in Spartanburg, South Carolina, was one of his projects. He designed the Charleston High School, which is currently a private residence, and the Grace Episcopal Church that are contributing properties to the Charleston Historic District (NRHP). He designed a portico with columns and wings for the main building and Gate Lodge of the College of Charleston (NHL). He designed an expansion of a building at South Carolina Military College.

He was the superintending architect for the new Custom House in Charleston, which was designed by Ammi Burnham Young. Construction was halted in 1859 when the US Congress did not appropriate funding to cover cost overruns. A less ambitious design was completed in 1879.

During the Civil War, he joined the Confederate Army, and served at James Island and North Carolina. He rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel, commanding the 3rd South Carolina Artillery.

After the war, E.B. White supervised repairs of St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Charleston. He designed a building for Charleston Gas & Light Co.

In 1879, White moved to New York and died on May 10, 1882. He was interred in St. Michael's Episcopal Churchyard in Charleston.

Work

• High School of Charleston (1841)
• Old St. Matthew's German Evangelical Lutheran Church (1842)
• Centenary Methodist Church (Charleston, South Carolina) (1842)
• Market Hall and Sheds (1840s)
• Huguenot Church (1844)
• Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (Columbia, South Carolina) (1847)
• Grace Church Cathedral (1848)
• Church of the Cross (1857)
• St. Andrew's Church (Mount Pleasant, South Carolina) (1857)

References

References

1. Edgar, Walter. (1998). "South Carolina: A History". University of South Carolina Press.
2. (1973). "Market Hall and Sheds". [[National Park Service]].
3. (1973). "Huguenot Church". [[National Park Service]].
4. (24 February 1971). "Trinity Episcopal Church". [[National Park Service]].
5. (1974). "Church of the Cross". [[National Park Service]].
6. (1973). "St. Philip's Episcopal Church". [[National Park Service]].
7. (1980). "Daniel Morgan Monument". [[National Park Service]].
8. (1970). "Charleston Historic District". [[National Park Service]].
9. (1971). "College of Charleston Complex: Main Building, Library and Gate Lodge". [[National Park Service]].
10. (1974). "U.S. Customhouse". [[National Park Service]].
11. Among the residences that he designed is the William Gatewood House at 21 Legare Street which was described as "recently built" is a real estate listing in February 1863.. Charleston Courier. (February 17, 1863)
12. "Property File - 60 Wentworth Street (Centenary Methodist Church) | Historic Charleston Foundation".