Medium/Discipline: Architecture
Birthplace: Vienna, Austria
Place of Death: Columbia, South Carolina
Maryland Affiliation: Active while in residence
Active Dates and Place: Vienna; Baltimore, Maryland; Columbia, South Carolina
Gender: Male
Race/Ethnicity: White
Biography: John Rudolph Niernsee was one of the most important architects of nineteenth century buildings. His designs dominate the area surrounding the Washington Monument and his most famous structures are now owned by the Walters Art Museum. Niernsee was born in Vienna, Austria in 1814 and educated in architecture and engineering at the University of Prague. He immigrated to the United States in the 1820s and was employed by the Baltimore Railroad as a surveyor in the South. Niernsee left the railroad to join the architecture firm of Benjamin Latrobe. He married Emily Braedenburgh of Baltimore and settled in the city. Niernsee formed a partnership with James Crawford Nielson in 1848. Their architecture firm produced several significant Baltimore residences, churches, and businesses, including the Thomas-Jencks House and the Walters' homes on Mt. Vernon Place, the Grace and St. Peter's Episcopal Church, the chapel of Greenmount Cemetery, and the Morris Building.
Niernsee's most famous building is the State House of South Carolina at Columbia. Niernsee was chosen as the architect for this project and moved with his family to Columbia in 1856. Niernsee designed a structure of granite and marble with a lofty two-story portico and dome. This project was halted at the onset of the Civil War in 1861. Niernsee became a major in the Confederate Army and made several reconnaissance trips to various parts of South Carolina. General Sherman spared the new capitol in his sack of Columbia, but his armies pillaged Niernsee's home, destroying his valuable library and all his papers and drawings.
Niernsee returned to Baltimore in 1865 and resumed his partnership with Nielson. He was appointed one of the United States representatives to the Vienna International Exhibition at Vienna in 1873 and published the "Report of the Construction and Embellishment of Private Dwellings in Vienna." In 1873 his twenty-six year partnership with Neilson was dissolved and Niernsee established a firm with his son Frank McHenry Niernsee. He was called again in 1883 to Columbia to complete the State House. Niernsee lived in Columbia until his sudden death in June of 1884.
Education/Training: University of Prague (architecture and engineering)
Art-related Employment: architect
Other Employment: Surveyor, Major in the Confederate Army
Selected References: The J. Hall Pleasants File at the Maryland Historical Society.
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