William Sidney Pittman

William Sidney Pittman, Tuskegee Institute graduate and protégé of Booker T. Washington, arrived at the Drexel Institute in early November 1897. Pittman entered Drexel prepared to use the opportunity given to him financially by Washington and the Tuskegee board of directors, who had provided the “loan” to further pursue his education. Pittman graduated from the Drexel Institute of Art, Science, and Industry in 1900.

After a dispute over his salary, he moved to Washington D.C. in 1905 where he worked for African American architect, John Lankford. Just a few months later he established his own office. In the fall of 1906, he entered and won the competition to design the Negro Building at the Jamestown Ter-Centennial Exposition.

His dispute with Washington over his salary at Tuskegee apparently did not harm their relationship. Pittman married Washington’s daughter, Portia, in 1907 assuring him a permanent connection with his mentor. A profile written on the young architect stated simply: “Mr. Pittman is considered the leading architect of his race.” Over the course of a relatively short career, Pittman is credited with forty designs or additions mainly in the vicinity of Washington D.C. and the state of Texas.

list of projects - http://www.library.drexel.edu/archives/pdf/pittmanbuildinglist.pdf
article - http://www.library.drexel.edu/archives/pdf/BookerT.WashingtonandDrexel.ARTICLE.FINAL.pdf
source - http://www.library.drexel.edu/archives/exhibits/pittmanintro.html