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Born: 8/25/1920, Died: 6/4/1994

James Francis was born in Erie, PA, the son of Rose Borden Francis. He graduated from Lower Merion High School, and served with American Field Service in Burma during World War II.

Francis trained at the University of Pennsylvania, earning a B. Arch. in 1943 and an M. Arch. in 1947. He distinguished himself as a student, winning the Arthur Spayd Brooke Memorial Prize Gold Medal in 1942-1943; a 1st Medal, BAID, for his project for the Grade A Problem: A Gardens Home Development in the academic year 1943-44; the Prix d'Emulation of the Société des Architectes Diplomés of France for 1942-1943; the Frank Miles Day Memorial Prize, Second Prize in 1942-1943; and finally, the Albert Kahn Scholarship in Architecture for his master's work in 1946-1947.

In 1954, Francis founded Francis, Cauffman & Wilkinson with fellow Penn graduates Hughes Cauffman and George Wilkinson. In 1955, they joined with Heyward M. Pepper, who had been practicing as Pepper Associates, the successor to his father's firm, to form Francis, Cauffman, Wilkinson & Pepper. Francis remained with the firm, which became Francis, Cauffman, Foley, Hoffman in 1984, until his death.

Francis joined the national AIA in 1964. He was a member of the Newtown Township Planning Commission.

Written by Emily T. Cooperman.

Clubs and Membership Organizations

  • Pennsylvania Society of Architects
  • American Institute of Architects (AIA)
  • Philadelphia Chapter, AIA

School Affiliations

  • University of Pennsylvania

 

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