Biography

ARCHITECT
Biography Projects Biographical References Related Architects Images printer-friendly version  
PHILADELPHIA ARCHITECTS AND BUILDINGS
SEARCH
OUR PARTNERS
 
[Napoleon's Pavilion] Local ID #: 1924/179 <I>AIA/T-Square Yearbook</I>, p. 179 (1924)
[Napoleon's Pavilion]
Local ID #: 1924/179
AIA/T-Square Yearbook, p. 179 (1924)

Born: 4/16/1889, Died: 1/16/1954

Frederick D. Dagit, nephew of prominent Catholic church architect Henry D. Dagit was born in Philadelphia and received certificates in architectural drawing and building construction from Drexel Institute's Evening School in 1909 and 1916 respectively. He then rounded out his training in architecture by attending the ateliers maintained by the University of Pennsylvania and the T-Square Club and spent half of 1923 at the American School in Fountainbleu, France, receiving his diploma in 1923. His skill at rendering was recognized by B. G. Goodhue of New York, who asked him to produce a rendering of a Baltimore church in 1919.

Frederick D. Dagit's architectural career was marked by considerable movement between firms, and he worked for some of the most prominent firms in Philadelphia and Boston. He launched his career in the firm of his uncle (1907-11 as junior draftsman), but then moved on to John T. Windrim (1911-13) and Price & McLanahan (1913-1917), where his efforts focussed on the Traymore Hotel, in Atlantic City, NJ. During World War I he worked with the U.S. Naval Reserves, Civil Engineering Corps, and after the war he entered the Ballinger & Perrot office, where he concentrated on commercial work. 1921 found him back with Henry D. Dagit & Sons, but by 1922 he had switched to Thomas, Martin, & Kirkpatrick, an association which he would maintain for over 20 years, until 1946. However, while he consistently returned to Thomas, Martin & Kirkpatrick during these years, he also worked for Cram & Ferguson of Boston (1925-27), Rankin & Kellogg, and the Philadelphia Navy Yard (1938-40). During the period from 1934 to 1944, he performed design and inspection services for E. I. duPont de Nemours Co. in Delaware. In 1946 Dagit's long association with Thomas, Martin & Kirkpatrick ended when he switched allegiance to Davis, Dunlap & Carver.

Written by Sandra L. Tatman.

Clubs and Membership Organizations

  • Pennsylvania Society of Architects
  • American Institute of Architects (AIA)
  • Philadelphia Chapter, AIA
  • T-Square Club

School Affiliations

  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Drexel Institute
  • American School of Fine Art in Fountainbleu (France)

 

Philadelphia Architects and Buildings | About | Participating Institutions | Feedback | Search | Login
Website and System: Copyright © 2023 by The Athenaeum of Philadelphia.
Data and Images: Copyright © 2023 by various contributing institutions. Used by permission.
All rights reserved.