author
Charles Fergus Binns
1857–1934
An English-born potter and teacher, he helped shape ceramics in the United States at a time when the field was becoming both an art and a science. His work at Alfred made him one of the key early figures in American studio pottery and ceramic education.
1 Audiobook
The Potter's Craft: A Practical Guide for the Studio and Workshop
by Charles Fergus Binns
About the author
Born in Worcester, England, in 1857, Charles Fergus Binns grew up close to the porcelain trade and worked at the Royal Worcester Porcelain Works before moving to the United States. He combined practical skill with a strong interest in ceramic technology, and he also wrote on the craft for a wider audience.
In 1900, he became the first director of the New York State School of Clayworking and Ceramics at Alfred University, a post he held until 1931. There he played a major role in building ceramics into a serious field of study, helping train generations of students while encouraging pottery as both a technical discipline and a creative art.
Binns is often remembered as one of the pioneers of American studio pottery. He died in Alfred, New York, in 1934, but his influence continued through his teaching, his writing, and the institutions he helped shape.