James Renwick Jr.
James Renwick Jr. designed some of the most important buildings of nineteenth-century New York and Washington, including Grace Church, the Smithsonian Institution Building, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and the Corcoran Gallery.
The Smallpox Hospital was one of his earliest major commissions. He was just 35 when he began designing it.
In 1853, Archbishop John Hughes engaged Renwick to design St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue. The following year, Renwick began designing the Smallpox Hospital on Blackwell's Island.
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Fifth Avenue, New York
Smallpox Hospital
Blackwell's Island, New York
Two of Renwick’s buildings still stand on Roosevelt Island.
Southern end · 1854–1856
Smallpox Hospital
Designed as a hospital for the treatment and isolation of people with smallpox.
Northern end · 1872
Blackwell Island Lighthouse
Designed as a lighthouse marking the East River channel.
Selected works
Grace Church
New York CitySmithsonian Institution Building
Washington, D.C.Smallpox Hospital
Roosevelt Island, New YorkSt. Patrick's Cathedral
New York CityCharity Hospital Demolished 1994
Roosevelt Island, New YorkCorcoran Gallery
Washington, D.C.Vassar College Main Building
Poughkeepsie, New YorkBlackwell Island Lighthouse
Roosevelt Island, New YorkOf the many buildings Renwick designed, two remain on Roosevelt Island.
At the northern end, the Blackwell Island Lighthouse still marks the East River channel. At the southern end, the Smallpox Hospital remains as a ruin.
