Lankford, John A.
1874-1946 · Contribution: 1922-1924
Architect
First professionally licensed African American architect in Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Portraits are AI-generated interpretations, not photographs.
Quick facts
- Born
- 1874
- Active since
- 1922
- Category
- Architecture & Design
- Best known for
- First Black licensed architect in Virginia & D.C.Church and office designerRegional pioneer
Impact on the world
Lankford opened licensed practice to Black architects in two jurisdictions and gave Black congregations across the country a distinctive architectural identity through his church work.
Sources
- Wilson, 'African American Architects' (Routledge, 2004)
1 more sources and references are available to members.
Related visionaries
Brent, Calvin
1854-1899
Generally considered the first African American architect to practice in Washington, D.C.
Pittman, William Sidney
1875-1958
First African American to receive a federal architectural design contract
Rayfield, Wallace A.
1873-1941
Designed over 400 buildings across 20 states, including offering mail-order architectural plans nationwide
Robinson, Hilyard
1899-1986
Designed the Langston Terrace Dwellings public housing project and the Tuskegee Army training base