Howard Hoppin


Howard Hoppin was an American architect from Providence, Rhode Island.

Early life

Hoppin was born on April 17, 1856, in Providence, Rhode Island. He was a son of Dr. Washington Hoppin, a homeopathic physician, and Louise Claire Hoppin. Among his siblings were Francis L. V. Hoppin, Louise Claire Hoppin, Harriet Jacob, and Washington Hoppin, Jr.
Hoppin was from a prominent and talented Providence family; his paternal grandparents were Thomas Coles Hoppin and Harriet Dunn Hoppin. His maternal grandparents were Maj. John Rogers Vinton and Lucretia Dutton Vinton of Boston. Among his paternal uncles were Augustus Hoppin, a prominent illustrator, and Dr. Courtland Hoppin, also a homeopathic physician, was the grandfather of Courtland Hector Hoppin, a pioneer in the field of animated film. His maternal uncle, David Hammond Vinton, Quartermaster General of [the United States Army|Quartermaster General] of Florida, was the father of The Right Reverend Alexander Hamilton Vinton, the first Bishop of Western Massachusetts, and Harriette Arnold Vinton.

Career

Hoppin began his architectural practice in Providence in the late 1870s. Early on, he developed a specialty in small churches. He worked alone until 1890, when he was joined by Spencer P. Read and his brother, Francis L. V. Hoppin. The new firm was known as Hoppin, Read & Hoppin. They worked together until 1896, when Francis left to found the firm of Hoppin & Koen in New York City. It was at this time that Hoppin took Edward F. Ely into the firm, as Hoppin & Ely. In 1907, Ely left to become a member of the city's Board of Park Commissioners. At this point, Frederick E. Field became partner. This arrangement lasted until 1922, when Thomas J. Hill Peirce, joined, the firm becoming Hoppin, Field & Peirce. It was dissolved within a few years, at which point Hoppin appears to have retired.

Architectural works

In private practice, before 1890:
As Hoppin, Read & Hoppin, 1890-1896:
  • Charles Street Grammar School, 291 Charles St., Providence, RI - Demolished.
  • Olney Street Fire Station, 355 Hope St., Providence, RI
  • Psi Upsilon House, 4 Manning St., Providence, RI - Demolished in 1972.
  • Harry A. Waldron House, 9 Stimson Ave., Providence, RI
  • Howard Hoppin House, 86 Brown St., Providence, RI - The architect's own residence.
  • Maxcy Hall, 108 George St., Brown University, Providence, RI - Altered.
As Hoppin & Ely, 1896-1907:
  • Goddard House, Butler Hospital, Providence, RI
  • C. Franklin Nugent House, 67 Orchard Ave., Providence, RI
  • St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 114 George St., Providence, RI
  • Weld House, Butler Hospital, Providence, RI
  • President's House, Brown University, Providence, RI - Demolished 1953.
  • Administration Building, Brown University, Providence, RI - Demolished 1962.
  • Caswell Hall, Brown University, Providence, RI
  • Memorial Hall, RISD, Providence, RI - Built 1853.
  • Perimeter Fence, Brown University, Providence, RI
  • Lapham Building, 290 Westminster St., Providence, RI
  • Y. W. C. A. Building, 254 Washington St., Providence, RI
As Hoppin & Field, 1907-1922:
As Hoppin, Field & Peirce, 1922-?: