BURK, William Richard

Submitted by Mike Miller

Burk, William Richard, 1008 Perrin building, New Orleans, was born at New Orleans, La., Oct. 15, 1888; son of Joseph A. and Annette E. (Logan) Burk, the former of whom was born at Bay St. Louis, Miss., 1846, the latter at New Orleans, 1848. William Richard received his earlier education in the public schools of New Orleans, and following his graduation from the Boys' high school, for a period devoted himself to the study of art. His talent for art exhibited itself strikingly while in his early childhood and as he grew in years it developed stronger. Noting his great love for drawing, and his ambition to perfect himself in all its branches, his parents entered him in a private art school, where he was given an opportunity to satisfy his great desire to perfect himself in pen drawing and water colors. His first start as a draughtsman was made in engineering, where he made the acquaintance of a noted French engineer, under whom he received his first insight and thorough instruction in building construction. On the advice of his friends, he decided to take a position in an architect's office, where be immediately realized that he had found the work suited to his years under the tutelage of prominent architects, at the same time taste and gratifying to his artistic temperament. After several undergoing a private course in the intricacies of architectural designing, when his progress justified the move, he entered upon his professional career as an architect, forming a partnership with Joseph J. Lagarde, whose acquaintance had begun when they were engaged in the same office as draughtsman. Under the firm name of Lagarde & Burk, they were awarded the building of the Canal Street Public Library in competition with 12 other architects. After the completion of the library, he dissolved partnership with Mr. Lagarde and accepted a position as draughtsman in the building division of the city of New Orleans, where he assisted in the designing and construction of several fire stations, school buildings, etc.; among these were the Live Oak school. After spending 2 years in the city's employ, and having been commissioned to erect several large buildings, among which was the Franciscan monastery for the "Poor Clare Nuns," he again entered the professional field and has been successful in creating a gratifying demand for his services. He has designed some of the most commodious, artistic and substantial structures in various portions of New Orleans, and has been an associate in the design of others. His latest commission was received from the New Orleans Public Library Board, March 11, 1914. His design for the Philip Street Public Library being unanimously selected by the building committee from among 8 designs submitted by competing architects. During his practice as an architect, he has successfully designed numerous residences, duplex flats, picture theatres and other structures. Mr. Burk is a democrat and a member of the Roman Catholic church. On Oct. 16, 1911, he was married to Miss Gwendolyn Moore, a daughter of John S. and Elizabeth (Bird) Moore, of St. Louis, Mo. They have 1 son, William Richard, Jr., born July 30, 1912.

Source: Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 599-600. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.