author
Richard Norton
1872–1918
An American archaeologist and art historian, he brought the ancient world to life in clear, thoughtful writing—and later turned his energy to humanitarian work in World War I. His career joined scholarship, public service, and a strong sense of duty.
1 Audiobook
Bernini and other studies in the history of art
by Richard Norton
About the author
Born in Dresden on February 9, 1872, and educated at Harvard, he became known as an American scholar of classical art and archaeology. He worked closely with major cultural institutions, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and led the American School of Classical Studies in Rome.
His writing grew out of firsthand study of ancient sites and objects, especially in the Mediterranean world. Rather than writing for specialists alone, he helped make classical art and archaeology more approachable for general readers.
During World War I, he set scholarship aside to organize the American Volunteer Motor Ambulance Corps in France, a role for which he was widely remembered. He died in Paris on August 2, 1918, leaving behind a reputation for both intellectual seriousness and public-minded service.