Historic Knight Library: Art & Architecture

Artists: The doors were probably a collaborative design of H. Abbott Lawrence, the son of Ellis F. Lawrence and principal delineator of the library facade drawings, and O. B. Dawson, metalwork artist. In 1940-41, H. Abbott Lawrence would design Dads' Gates which would be executed in iron by Dawson. Dawson considered the gates his finest work.

Media: Large double partially-cast bronze and glass doors. Decoration:  Geometric patterns and inter-locking motifs of corn, wheat, and rosettes, and snails. Dimensions: Each door is approximately ten feet tall by five feet wide with large vertical pull handles.

FLOOR PLANS & ART GUIDE

SOURCES

Dawson, O. B.  The Old Blacksmiths.  Photocopy. [Eugene, Or. : University of Oregon Library, 1987]. 

Emerson, Kim, "University of Oregon Library and Memorial Quadrangle," National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, August 15, 1989.

Force, Rachel Gwen. Blacksmith : The Significance and Preservation of O.B. Dawson's Ironwork for the WPA. Thesis, University of Oregon, 2004.

Knudsen, Reinhard. "Labors With Wrought Iron To Make a Living And Sings at his Work." Oregon Sunday Journal, December 11, 1938.

“Orion Dawson,” Obituary, Oregonian, May 18, 1977, B8.