Boldly Simple and Harmonious

The Architecture of Charles Blaney Cluskey

Charles Cluskey was an Irish immigrant, a self-taught genius, tempestuous, arrogantly self-assured, and partisan: a deeply-flawed man embroiled in the travails of the nineteenth century. Against a propensity toward self-defeat, he introduced Georgia to the restrained splendor of the Greek Revival, given his personal imprimatur of inventive forms and stylistic nuance. Further, he wielded incredible influence in the architecture of the New Republic – in the very symbol of the nation, the Capitol Dome.

Still, Cluskey remains largely unknown; his contributions, all but forgotten.

With precious little evidence of his life, we thankfully have the body of his work still largely extant and well-appreciated.  Among his best-known commissions are the Medical College of Georgia Building in Augusta (1834-37); the Old Governor’s Mansion in Milledgeville (1837-38); and a marvelous canon of residential work in Savannah, including the Sorrel-Weed House (1839-40) and the Champion-McAlpin-Fowlkes House (1840-42), as well as St. Vincent’s Academy (1842-45).

These magnificent works and those not built contribute to the telling of his story in both triumph and tragedy.

Thus the narrative is set, an eclaircissement to accompany a lavishly illustrated volume of his work.  My hope is that they come together to produce a sumptuous architectural monograph dedicated to the brilliance of this forgotten and elusive figure.