The Leonard K. Eaton papers document his career as a professor of architectural history at the University of Michigan and reflect his interest in seventeenth-century Dutch architecture and the Chicago school of architecture. The papers cover the years 1950-1988 and reflect Eaton's activities as architectural historian, student advisor, author, and participant in architectural professional groups.
The Eaton papers have come to the library in three accessions. The first in 1988 came from Mr. Eaton; the second in 1996 consisted of materials that he had donated to the University of Michigan Art and Architecture Library and which they subsequently transferred to the Bentley Library. The third accession contained some topical files and material related to the Palmer House in Ann Arbor. The first accession has been retained in its original order and consists of five series: Correspondence, Topical Files, College Term Papers written by Leonard Eaton, Student Papers written by Eaton Students, and Photographs
The Correspondence series is arranged alphabetically and consists mainly of outgoing letters. Of special interest is the exchange of letters with Lewis Mumford dating from the late 1950s. Topical Files consists of notes and drafts of Eaton's published articles, which have been arranged by title. Also included in this series are articles relating to the landscape architect Jens Jensen as well as notes and published writings from the 2004 accession. College Term Papers written by Eaton series is arranged alphabetically. Mainly undated, these papers reflect Eaton's interest in literature, art and political theory. Student papers written by Eaton students series focuses on Michigan buildings and architecture. The Photographs series includes photographs used in his research on Dutch architecture and a Flint, Michigan, public housing project.
Leonard K. Eaton was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on February 3, 1922 and served as a faculty member of the College of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Michigan from 1950 to 1988. He graduated cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa from Williams College in 1943. From 1943 to 1945, he served with the 10th Mountain Division during World War II. After the war, he did graduate work in history under Arthur M. Schlesinger, Sr. at Harvard, receiving his doctorate in 1950. His dissertation, entitled New England Hospitals, 1790-1833, was published by the University of Michigan Press in 1957.
In 1950, Eaton joined the faculty of the University of Michigan as an instructor in architectural history, becoming a full professor in 1963. Shortly after his arrival in Ann Arbor, Eaton became involved in city zoning issues and proposals for city planning commissions.
Eaton became known as an authority on Frank Lloyd Wright and other figures of the Chicago school of architecture. He was involved with organizing Frank Lloyd Wright symposiums at the University of Michigan, promoting research on Wright architecture in Michigan, and writing reviews of books on Wright. In 1969, Eaton published his book entitled Two Chicago architects and their clients: Frank Lloyd Wright and Howard Van Doren. Eaton also wrote a book on the history of the Palmer House in Ann Arbor, which was never published.
Other books published by Eaton include: American architecture comes of age: European reaction to H.H. Richardson and Louis Sullivan (1972), The architecture of Samuel Maclure (1971), Landscape artist in American: the life and work of Jens Jensen (1964), and Readings in architectural criticism (1954).
Eaton was a member of the Society of Architectural Historians as well as the Canadian Society of Architectural Historians.
