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William M. R. French's initial career aspirations upon arriving in Chicago involved the practice of law, and he was born in Exeter, Massachusetts.
Answer: False
Explanation: William M. R. French was born in Exeter, New Hampshire, not Massachusetts. Furthermore, upon his arrival in Chicago in 1867, his stated intention was to pursue civil engineering and landscaping, not law.
The renowned sculptor Daniel Chester French was William M. R. French's paternal grandfather.
Answer: False
Explanation: Daniel Chester French was, in fact, William M. R. French's brother, not his paternal grandfather. Daniel Chester French was a distinguished sculptor.
The ancestral lineage of William M. R. French includes grandfathers who participated in the American Revolution, underscoring the family's deep New England heritage.
Answer: True
Explanation: The text confirms that both of William M. R. French's grandfathers served in the American Revolution, which is cited as evidence of the family's long-standing New England roots.
William M. R. French pursued his higher education at Yale University, graduating in the year 1864.
Answer: False
Explanation: William M. R. French attended Harvard University, graduating in 1864, not Yale University.
Following the passing of his mother, William M. R. French's family relocated to Cambridge, Massachusetts, residing adjacent to the renowned poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Answer: True
Explanation: The family did move to Cambridge, Massachusetts, after his mother's death, and they did reside next door to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. This event occurred in 1860.
William M. R. French was born on October 1, 1843, in Exeter, New Hampshire.
Answer: True
Explanation: This statement is accurate. William Merchant Richardson French was born on October 1, 1843, in Exeter, New Hampshire.
William M. R. French's mother, Anne Richardson, passed away when he was approximately 23 years of age.
Answer: False
Explanation: William M. R. French's mother, Anne Richardson, died in 1853, when he was only 13 years old, not 23.
While residing in Cambridge, William M. R. French and his brother Daniel collaborated on sculpting a lion statue that garnered admiration from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Answer: True
Explanation: This event is accurately described. During a snowstorm in Cambridge, William and his brother Daniel sculpted a lioness and cub statue that impressed Longfellow and other observers.
William M. R. French's father, Henry F. French, was recognized for his contributions as a sculptor.
Answer: False
Explanation: William M. R. French's father, Henry F. French, was a lawyer, judge, and agricultural expert, not a sculptor. His brother, Daniel Chester French, was the renowned sculptor.
What was the complete name and the lifespan of William M. R. French?
Answer: William Merchant Richardson French (October 1, 1843 – June 3, 1914)
Explanation: William M. R. French's full name was William Merchant Richardson French, and he lived from October 1, 1843, to June 3, 1914.
Identify the birthplace of William M. R. French and his initial career objective upon his arrival in Chicago.
Answer: Exeter, New Hampshire; to pursue civil engineering and landscaping.
Explanation: William M. R. French was born in Exeter, New Hampshire. Upon arriving in Chicago in 1867, his initial career goal was to engage in civil engineering and landscaping.
Identify William M. R. French's brother, who achieved renown as a sculptor.
Answer: Daniel Chester French
Explanation: William M. R. French's brother was Daniel Chester French, a highly acclaimed sculptor.
What characteristics defined the ancestral heritage of the French family as presented in the text?
Answer: They had a pure New England heritage, with ancestors arriving in 1630.
Explanation: The French family is described as having a pure New England heritage, with their earliest known ancestor, Edward French, arriving in New England in 1630.
At which esteemed university did William M. R. French pursue his higher education?
Answer: Harvard University
Explanation: William M. R. French attended Harvard University, commencing his studies there in 1860 and graduating in 1864.
What was William M. R. French's familial connection to the American Revolution?
Answer: Both of his grandfathers fought in the war.
Explanation: William M. R. French's connection to the American Revolution is established through his paternal and maternal grandfathers, both of whom participated in the conflict.
William M. R. French achieved significant recognition in Chicago predominantly for his contributions to civil engineering and urban planning.
Answer: False
Explanation: While French had a background in engineering, his primary national recognition in Chicago stemmed from his lectures and writings on art subjects and his directorship of the Art Institute of Chicago.
The Great Chicago Fire prompted William M. R. French to abandon his career in fine arts and revert to civil engineering.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Great Chicago Fire destroyed French's landscaping practice, leading him to shift his focus towards fine arts and lecturing, rather than returning to civil engineering.
Prior to his relocation to Chicago, William M. R. French was employed by the City Surveyor of Boston.
Answer: False
Explanation: William M. R. French worked for the City Surveyor of Chicago, S.S. Greeley, after moving there in 1867. His prior engineering roles were in Massachusetts and Indiana, not for the City Surveyor of Boston.
William M. R. French established his independent engineering practice in 1871, concurrently forming a partnership with H. W. S. Cleveland.
Answer: False
Explanation: William M. R. French established his independent practice in 1870. He then entered into a partnership with H. W. S. Cleveland in 1871 for landscaping and engineering.
William M. R. French held the position of Supervising Architect of the Treasury during the period of 1883 to 1884.
Answer: True
Explanation: This statement is accurate. William M. R. French served as the Supervising Architect of the Treasury from 1883 until the fall of 1884.
What was the impact of the Great Chicago Fire on William M. R. French's professional trajectory?
Answer: It destroyed his landscaping practice, prompting a shift towards fine arts.
Explanation: The Great Chicago Fire resulted in the destruction of the landscaping practice William M. R. French shared with H. W. S. Cleveland, compelling him to pivot his career focus towards the fine arts.
Which description accurately reflects William M. R. French's early engineering roles subsequent to his graduation from Harvard?
Answer: Worked on railroad construction in Indiana and served on the Board of Public Works in Chicago.
Explanation: Following his graduation from Harvard, French engaged in engineering roles, including work on railroad construction in Indiana and service on the Board of Public Works in Chicago.
In what year did William M. R. French establish his independent engineering practice in Chicago?
Answer: 1870
Explanation: William M. R. French established his independent engineering practice in Chicago in 1870.
Prior to its reorganization and eventual renaming as the Art Institute of Chicago, the institution was known as the Chicago Academy of Design.
Answer: True
Explanation: The institution that evolved into the Art Institute of Chicago was initially established as the Chicago Academy of Design, which underwent reorganization and renaming processes.
William M. R. French's tenure as Director of the Art Institute of Chicago spanned from 1885 until his death in 1914.
Answer: True
Explanation: William M. R. French was appointed as the first Director of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1885, serving in this capacity until his passing in 1914. His directorship did not commence in 1878.
Charles L. Hutchinson served as William M. R. French's primary subordinate at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Answer: False
Explanation: Charles L. Hutchinson was not a subordinate but rather the President of the Board of the Art Institute of Chicago, working collaboratively with Director William M. R. French.
William M. R. French was instrumental in overseeing the construction of new facilities for the Art Institute of Chicago situated on Michigan Avenue.
Answer: True
Explanation: French, in collaboration with Charles L. Hutchinson, managed the development and construction of new buildings for the Art Institute on Michigan Avenue, significantly expanding its campus.
The Art Institute of Chicago's initial location was the Pikes Building, situated on Michigan Avenue.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Art Institute of Chicago was initially located in the Pikes Building, but this building was on State Street, not Michigan Avenue.
Identify the institution that underwent reorganization and renaming to become the Art Institute of Chicago, a process in which William M. R. French played a pivotal role.
Answer: The Chicago Academy of Design
Explanation: The Chicago Academy of Design was reorganized and renamed, ultimately becoming the Art Institute of Chicago. William M. R. French was significantly involved in this transformation.
Describe William M. R. French's specific role and duration of service at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Answer: First Director, 1885-1914
Explanation: William M. R. French served as the first Director of the Art Institute of Chicago from 1885 until his death in 1914.
Identify William M. R. French's principal collaborator at the Art Institute of Chicago, who held the position of Board President.
Answer: Charles L. Hutchinson
Explanation: Charles L. Hutchinson served as the President of the Board of the Art Institute of Chicago and was a key collaborator with Director William M. R. French.
In what year was William M. R. French appointed as the inaugural director of the Art Institute of Chicago?
Answer: 1885
Explanation: William M. R. French became the first director of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1885.
What specific financial detail is provided concerning the Art Institute's acquisition of property on Michigan Avenue?
Answer: The initial purchase price for the lot was $45,000.
Explanation: The Art Institute purchased the lot on the southwest corner of Michigan Avenue and Van Buren Street for $45,000, a significant investment for its expansion.
What was the Art Institute of Chicago's involvement concerning the structure erected on the lakefront for the World's Columbian Exposition?
Answer: They advocated for its construction and intended to use it afterward.
Explanation: The Art Institute of Chicago actively advocated for the construction of the lakefront building for the World's Columbian Exposition and planned to utilize it for its own purposes post-exposition.
A contemporary associate characterized William M. R. French's dedication by stating he knew 'every stone in the structure, every collection in the galleries, and every servant in his employ.'
Answer: True
Explanation: This observation highlights William M. R. French's profound and comprehensive involvement with the Art Institute of Chicago, indicating his deep understanding and commitment to all facets of the institution.
William M. R. French was a founding member of the American Association of Museums.
Answer: True
Explanation: Indeed, William M. R. French was a founder and charter member of the American Association of Museums, signifying his broader engagement with the museum profession.
William M. R. French undertook a journey to Europe in 1892 as part of the preparatory efforts for the World's Columbian Exposition.
Answer: False
Explanation: While French did travel in relation to the World's Columbian Exposition, the specific year mentioned for his European travel in this context is 1889, not 1892. His travel logs from this period contain valuable insights.
William M. R. French commenced his professional activities in art lecturing and writing in the year 1874.
Answer: True
Explanation: This statement is accurate. William M. R. French began lecturing and writing about art in Chicago in 1874, marking a significant shift in his career focus.
William M. R. French imparted instruction in Artistic Anatomy at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Answer: True
Explanation: This statement is accurate. William M. R. French taught a course in Artistic Anatomy for many years at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Beyond his engineering endeavors, in which other field did William M. R. French attain national recognition while based in Chicago?
Answer: Lectures and writings on art subjects.
Explanation: William M. R. French achieved national recognition for his lectures and writings on art subjects, in addition to his engineering background and his directorship of the Art Institute.
What insight does the quotation regarding French's familiarity with 'every stone in the structure' provide about his connection to the Art Institute?
Answer: He was deeply involved and dedicated to all aspects of the institution.
Explanation: This quote suggests an extraordinary level of engagement and dedication, indicating that French possessed an intimate knowledge of and commitment to every aspect of the Art Institute's operations and collections.
What was the objective behind William M. R. French's extensive travel and documentation concerning the World's Columbian Exposition?
Answer: To gather ideas for the Institute's building designs and educational programs.
Explanation: French's travels and detailed notes were aimed at gathering inspiration and practical ideas for the Art Institute's building designs and its educational programming, particularly in anticipation of the Exposition.
No questions available for this topic.
William M. R. French's funeral service was notably brief, attributed to a perceived lack of public interest.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to the statement, William M. R. French's funeral service was extensive and required a second session due to the large attendance, indicating significant public interest and respect.
The notation 'Unreferenced' signifies that the section pertaining to Marriages lacks supporting citations and is thus subject to challenge.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'Unreferenced' notice serves as an alert that the 'Marriages' section requires citations from reliable sources to substantiate its claims, as unsourced material may be challenged or removed.
The 'Authority control databases' section offers links to external databases utilized for standardizing biographical information concerning William M. R. French.
Answer: True
Explanation: This section provides standardized identifiers from external databases, aiding in the disambiguation and consistent referencing of information about William M. R. French.
William M. R. French's life concluded at the age of 70.
Answer: True
Explanation: This statement is accurate. William M. R. French passed away in 1914 at the age of 70.
What was the public and professional response to the passing of William M. R. French?
Answer: His funeral required a second session due to the large attendance.
Explanation: The death of William M. R. French elicited a profound response, evidenced by the large attendance at his funeral which necessitated a second session, and by the high esteem expressed by colleagues.
What implication arises from the 'Unreferenced' notice concerning the 'Marriages' section of the text?
Answer: The section lacks citations and may be challenged.
Explanation: The 'Unreferenced' notice indicates that the 'Marriages' section is not supported by citations and is therefore subject to verification or challenge.