Edward Tuckerman Potter


Edward Tuckerman Potter was an American architect best known for designing the 1871 Mark Twain House in Hartford, Connecticut. With his half-brother William Appleton Potter, he also designed Nott Memorial Hall at his alma mater, Union College, Schenectady, New York. Both the Mark Twain House and Nott Memorial Hall are National Historic Landmarks.

Early life

Potter was born in Schenectady, New York on September 25, 1831. He was the son of Bishop Alonzo Potter and, his first wife, Sarah Potter.
He graduated from Union College in 1853 and studied architecture under prominent architect Richard M. Upjohn.

Career

Buildings designed by Potter that are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places include:

Personal life

Among Potter's sibling and half-siblings were Howard Potter, a New York City banker; Robert Brown Potter, a General in the American Civil War; Democratic U.S. Representative Clarkson Nott Potter; Henry Codman Potter, the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York; Eliphalet Nott Potter, who served as President of Union College and Hobart College; and William Appleton Potter, also an architect who designed the Church of the Presidents in Elberon, New Jersey.
His paternal grandparents were Anna and Joseph Potter, a farmer. His uncle, Horatio Potter, served as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. His maternal grandfather was Eliphalet Nott, the longest serving college president in the United States.
Potter was married to Julia Maria Blatchford, the daughter of U.S. Minister to the State of the Church Richard Milford Blatchford and Julian Ann Blatchford. Together, they lived much of their married life abroad in London and Paris and after his retirement, they spent most of their time in Newport, Rhode Island. Julia and Edward were the parents of:
Potter died at his home, 67 West 52nd Street in New York, New York on December 21, 1904.