Duncan Phyfe, maker of exquisite furniture, who adapted and improved
the Sheraton style, and considered by good judges to be the equal of
Sheraton, Hipplewhite, and Adams, was a Scot who came to America about
1784. His father was John Fife of Inverness. Dyer, who devotes a
chapter of his _Early American Craftsmen_ to him, says "no other
American made anything comparable to ... the exquisite furniture of
Duncan Phyfe." The name of Samuel McIntire (d. 1811) stands out
pre-eminent as master of all the artists in wood of his time. An
account of his work is given by Dyer with illustrations of his work.
In 1812, Thomas Haig, a native of Scotland, a Queensware potter,
started the Northern Liberties Pottery, and turned out a beautiful
quality of red and black earthenware. About 1829 the works of the
Jersey Porcelain and Earthenware Company (founded 1825) were purchased
by David and J. Henderson. Some of the productions of the Hendersons
are especially sought after by collectors. The firm is now known as
the Jersey City Pottery. The Scottish firm of J. and G.H. Gibson,
glass-stainers, Philadelphia, obtained a national reputation for
artistic work. Daniel and Nathaniel Munroe, clockmakers, were famous
as such in Massachusetts in the beginning of the nineteenth century.
Henry Mitchell (1810-93), born in Fifeshire, was the pioneer
wagon-builder of the west. Frederick Turnbull (1847-1909), who
introduced the art of Turkey-red dyeing into this country about 1850,
was born in Glasgow.
Will C. Macfarlane (b. 1870), organist and composer, was born in
England of Scottish origin. His compositions include songs, anthems,
organ music, a Lenten Cantata, "The Message from the Cross." His
setting of Katherine Lee Bates's patriotic hymn, "America, the
Beautiful," has had nation-wide usage. William Wallace Gilchrist (b.
1846), composer, was of Scottish descent; and Edward Alexander
MacDowell (1861-1908), composer and Professor of Music in Columbia
University, was of Ulster Scot origin.
Robert Campbell Maywood (1784-1856), actor and theatrical manager in
Philadelphia, was born in Greenock, Scotland. Edwin Forrest
(1806-1872), the celebrated American actor, was the son of a native of
Dumfriesshire; and Robert Bruce Mantell, who made his debut in
Rochdale, England, was born in Irvine, Ayrshire, in 1854. James Edward
Murdoch (1811-93), grandson of a Scottish immigrant, was Professor of
Elocution at Cincinnati College of Music, and later a leading actor on
the American stage. During the Civil War he devoted his energies to
support of the Union and gave readings for the benefit of the United
States Sanitary Commission. Benjamin Franklin Keith (1846-1914),
theater proprietor, was of Scottish descent. Mary Garden, Singer and
Director of Grand Opera, was born in Aberdeen in 1877. James H.
Stoddart, the veteran actor, was also of Scottish origin.
SCOTS AS INVENTORS
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