Wirt C. Rowland

About

Designed many of Detroit's most notable structures, such as the T. B. Rayl Company Building and the General Motors Building.

Before Fame

He was inspired to study architecture by a Harper's magazine article about England's Lambeth Castle; he joined a local architecture firm as a draftsman. He was mentored by George D. Mason and Albert Kahn and both encouraged him to attend the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

Trivia

He worked for several companies on major buildings without any formal training; after finishing Harvard, he became the highest-paid designer in Detroit.

Family Life

He was born in Clinton, Lenawee County, Michigan, where his father, Clinton Charles, was an engineer at the local woolen mill.

Associated With

He did for Detroit what Minoru Yamasaki's architectural designs did for the skyline of New York City.