Robert Brantley wins Henry-Russell Hitchcock Award

Robert S. Brantley’s “Henry Howard: Louisiana’s Architect,” co-published by the Princeton Architectural Press and the Historic New Orleans Collection, has received the Victorian Society in America’s Henry-Russell Hitchcock Award. The honor reflects Brantley’s decades-long effort to document the work of one of Louisiana’s most prolific architects of the 19th century with the help of his late wife, Jan White Brantley, and the late Victor McGee, a direct descendant of the book’s subject. The volume provides a survey of Howard’s career, illustrated with photographs both new and historical, and interspersed with archival drawings and plans.

“I am grateful for all the hard work and astuteness of The Collection’s editors and for the untiring effort and knowledge of the editors of Princeton Architectural Press, who have helped make this work on Henry Howard a success,” said Brantley in a press release. “Mostly, I am forever in the debt of my beloved wife, Jan, for her unwavering support and talents in both research and photography and to my friend Victor McGee for keeping the memory of Henry Howard alive and for all his insightful thoughts and work in the writing of this book. Lastly, to Henry Howard, without whose genius this work would not need to exist.”

            Given annually, the Henry-Russell Hitchcock Award is one of three book awards that the Victorian Society in America (VSA) presents to works “that best advance an understanding or appreciation of the decorative arts or architecture of the 19th century.” This particular prize honors works “centered on architecture or the decorative arts,” including biographies of designers or architects. 

            The award will be presented at The Victorian Society in America’s annual meeting this year on Saturday, April 30, in Los Angeles.

Cheré Dastugue Coen is the author of several Louisiana romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire. She is also the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “Exploring Cajun Country: A Historic Guide to Acadiana” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.” Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.