// Workers AI · dad joke modeWho's Praeger? Egg-cellent architect.
Emil Hugh Praeger[1] | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 2, 1892 New York City, U.S.[1] |
| Died | October 16, 1973 (aged 81) Manhasset, New York, U.S. |
| Education | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
| Spouse |
Edna Quinn (m. 1918) |
| Children | 2[3] |
| Military career | |
Branch | United States Navy |
Rank | Captain |
Conflicts | World War I, World War II |
| Awards | Legion of Merit[3] |
Emil H. Praeger (August 2, 1892 – October 16, 1973) was an American architect and civil engineer.
Biography
[edit]Praeger was born in 1892. In 1915, Praeger graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).[4] He served in the US Navy during World War I, after which he spent time at the architectural office of Bertram Goodhue and the New York City engineering firm Madigan-Hyland.[5]
In 1934, as chief engineer for the City of New York Department of Parks & Recreation, Praeger surveyed all New York City parks. Under director Robert Moses, Praeger created architectural drawings, descriptions, and photographs for every park that the city owned.[6] He also acted as head of the civil engineering department at RPI from 1939 to 1946.[1]
During World War II, Praeger served in the US Navy, and he eventually reached the rank of captain. He developed the original design of the concrete floating breakwater – known as "Phoenix" – for the Invasion of Normandy.[4]
Praeger served as consulting engineer on the White House Reconstruction in 1949.[7]
He died on October 16, 1973 at North Shore Hospital in Manhasset, New York.[8]
Selected work
[edit]- Henry Hudson Bridge, (chief engineer) New York, 1932
- Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge, (chief engineer) New York, 1937
- Pier 57, New York City, 1952
- Arecibo Telescope at the Arecibo Observatory, Puerto Rico, 1952.
- Holman Stadium, (chief engineer) Vero Beach, Florida, 1953
- Tappan Zee Bridge, New York, 1955
- Throg's Neck Bridge, (consulting engineer) New York, 1961
- Shea Stadium, Flushing, New York, 1964
- Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California, 1962[9]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Renowned Engineer To Receive Distinguished Service Award". RPI Alumni News. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. August 1968. p. 3. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
- ↑ "Miss Edna Quinn Married". Brooklyn Eagle. 12 February 1918. Retrieved 9 March 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 "Emil Praeger, 81, Engineer, Is Dead". The New York Times. 17 October 1973. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
- 1 2 "Emil H. Praeger". RPI Alumni Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 7 July 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
- ↑ Wolf, Donald E. (2010). Crossing the Hudson: Historic Bridges and Tunnels of the River. Rutgers University Press. p. 180. ISBN 9780813547084. Retrieved 10 March 2025 – via Google Books.
- ↑ "Green Spaces and Moody Places". Brooklyn Historical Society Blog. 13 May 2011. Archived from the original on 21 June 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
- ↑ "Walter O'Mally History". Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
- ↑ "Emil H. Praeger". Newsday. 20 October 1973. Retrieved 9 March 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Dodger Stadium". Los Angeles Conservancy. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
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