Paul
R. Williams: African American Architect
by Judith Johnson
Although much of the world has heard of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
in Memphis, most people are not aware that an African American with Memphis
connections designed the original building. During a prolific career that
extended from the 1920s through the 1970s, Los Angeles architect Paul
R. Williams designed more than 3,000 buildings and projects. His vast
body of work stretches over the world-- from Paris and Colombia to Washington,
D. C., New York and Memphis.
Paul Williams (1894-1980) was born in Los Angeles of parents who
moved there from Memphis. His father had been a waiter at the Peabody Hotel
and opened a fruit stand in Los Angeles. Orphaned at four, Paul was raised
by a strong-willed foster mother who encouraged him to experience the diversity
of multi-ethnic Los Angeles. His education included studies at the Polytechnical
High School in Los Angeles, the Beaux-Arts Institute of Design, a degree
from the University of Southern California in architectural engineering
and an apprenticeship at the Los Angeles firm of John C. Austin.
Williams rose from humble beginnings to become the first African-American
member, and later a Fellow, of the American Institute of Architects.
Williams was architect to the rich and famous in Southern California.
His clients included E. L. Cord, Jay Paley, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball
and Desi Arnez. Paul Williamsí original design for St. Jude Hospital
in Memphis It was through these Hollywood connections that entertainer
Danny Thomas came to know and admire Williams' work. Thomas, in fulfillment
of a vow to St. Jude to build a hospital for critically ill children in
Memphis, asked Williams to design a hospital building in the late 1950s.
Williams conceived the idea of five spokes radiating off a central core
that Thomas likened to the star of St. Jude. The strength of the design,
which Williams donated, was so powerful that Danny Thomas was able to raise
the necessary funds to build it in the early 1960s. Neither Thomas nor Williams
could foresee the fabulous success that St. Jude Hospital (as it was then
called) would have. This success later necessitated a significant addition
to the building that diminished its original design, though the building
still exists on the hospital campus today. During his 50 year career,
Williams designed fabulous homes in various revival styles as well as
innovative modern buildings. His modern designs included Chasen's
and Perino's Restaurants, the Palm Springs Tennis Club and
the beautiful Theme Building at Los Angeles International Airport.
He also designed commercial buildings, hotels, military bases and public
housing. More information on this talented architectís prolific career
can be found in the book Paul R. Williams, Architect by Karen
E. Hudson, available at the Memphis/Shelby County Public Library.