Drawing by Kevin S. and Mike M. William LeBaron Jenney (1832-1907)   When was William LeBaron Jenney born? What did this architect do in his early and middle years? What is Jenney most famous for? What were some of Jenney's projects? Who did Jenney train to be an architect? When did Jenney die?         When was William LeBaron Jenney born? Jenney was born September 25, 1832 in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Return to Top       What did this architect do in his early and middle years? In Massachusetts, Jenney studied engineering at the Lawrence Scientific School. Following that he was an engineer in the Union Army during the Civil War. Then he started an architectural firm in 1866. Return to Top     What is Jenney most famous for? Jenney is credited with being the "Father" of the skyscraper. He designed the first "tall" building, the Home Insurance Building in Chicago. This building was constructed from 1884 to 1886. The building was able to support its heavy walls because of its iron and steel skeleton frame.  Return to Top   What were some of Jenney's projects? Two of Jenney's important Chicago buildings are no longer standing. They were the Leiter 1 Building, and the Home Insurance Building. Some of Jenney's buildings that still stand are The Leiter II building, the Ludington, and the Manhattan Building. Return to Top       Who did Jenney train to be an architect? Jenney trained some very important Chicago architects. They include: Daniel Burnham, William Holabird, Louis Sullivan, John Wellborn Root, and Martin Roche. Return to Top       When did Jenney die? William LeBaron Jenney died May 14, 1907. Return to Top