Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1938 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
4 architectural drawings and 2 clippings (2 p.)
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
William Frederick Williams (1904-1947) was born in Melbourne, Australia, on March 29, 1904. He studied at Melbourne University and then moved to the United States in 1927. He worked as an architect in Chicago, New York, Montreal, and London, England, before settling in Nelson, B.C. in 1934. Williams designed numerous buildings in the B.C. interior over the next twelve years. In 1938 he was the winner of the competition for the Canadian Building at the New York World’s Fair. His modernist design for the pavilion beat out 155 entries from across Canada and brought him international recognition. He was recognized by the mayor of New York with Honorary Citizenship in 1940. Williams died on 20 December 1947 in Nelson, B.C. His wife Ilsa J. F. Williams carried on his architectural practice and then the firm was passed onto David P. Fairbank in 1950.
See Williams, William Frederick. The Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada 1800-1950. http://dictionaryofarchitectsincanada.org/node/2417. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Accession 77A/80.12 was donated to the Canadian Architectural Archives on June 13, 1980 by David P. Fairbank.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Consists of two architectural presentation drawings created by W. F. Williams of Nelson, B.C., for the competition for the Canadian Building at the New York World’s Fair. The drawings include two prints and two duplicate copies in reverse print. Also included are two clippings from the RAIC Journal that note Williams’ winning entry in the competition and an image of the pavilion.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
No further accruals are expected
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open
Conditions governing reproduction
The University of Calgary is not aware of any copyright interest in this material and has determined that it is in the public domain in Canada. There are no usage restrictions on materials in the public domain. However, patrons are responsible for ensuring they comply with the copyright laws in their jurisdiction. We do ask that you identify the University of Calgary Archives and Special Collections as the source of this material.
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Accessions: Includes archival material from accession 77A/80.12