author
Richard Norton
1872–1918
An American art historian and archaeologist, he moved easily between scholarship and public service. Best known for his work in classical studies and for organizing a volunteer ambulance corps in France during World War I, he led a life that was both scholarly and deeply practical.
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 raised in a distinguished American intellectual family, Richard Norton studied at Harvard and went on to build a career in archaeology and the history of art. He became closely associated with classical studies in Rome and with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, earning a reputation as a knowledgeable and energetic scholar.
Norton also wrote about art for a wider audience. His best-known book, Bernini and Other Studies in the History of Art (1914), reflects his interest in European art and his gift for clear criticism rooted in firsthand study.
During World War I, he turned from scholarship to relief work, organizing and leading the American Volunteer Motor Ambulance Corps in France, often known as the Norton-Harjes Ambulance Corps. He died in Paris on August 2, 1918, leaving behind a legacy that joined learning, leadership, and service.