Dell Upton

Dell Upton is an architectural historian and professor emeritus at UCLA, recognized for his influential work on American vernacular architecture and cultural landscapes. His research spans colonial through nineteenth-century American buildings, with particular focus on social power, race, and the built environment. Upton's landmark book "Holy Things and Profane: Anglican Parish Churches in Colonial Virginia" (1986) established new methodologies for analyzing religious architecture's social and cultural dimensions. His later works, including "Architecture in the United States" (1998) and "Another City: Urban Life and Urban Spaces in the New American Republic" (2008), expanded the field's scope to examine how architecture shapes and reflects social relationships. Through his research and writing, Upton has helped shift architectural history's focus from elite buildings to everyday structures and spaces. His work emphasizes how different social groups experience and use the built environment, particularly examining perspectives of enslaved people, working classes, and other marginalized populations in American architectural history. The intersection of race and architecture has been a central theme in Upton's scholarship, notably explored in "What Can and Can't Be Said: Race, Uplift, and Monument Building in the Contemporary South" (2015). His contributions have influenced multiple fields including architectural history, American studies, and cultural geography.

Readers value Upton's clear writing style and ability to connect architecture to broader social issues. Students and academics cite his texts as accessible entry points to architectural history, particularly "Architecture in the United States." Readers appreciate: - Deep historical research and primary sources - Analysis of buildings from marginalized perspectives - Clear explanations of complex architectural concepts - Integration of social, cultural, and political context Common criticisms: - Dense academic language in some sections - High textbook prices - Limited illustrations in newer editions - Focus on theory over practical examples On Goodreads, "Architecture in the United States" averages 3.8/5 stars (42 ratings), with readers noting its value as a reference text. "Holy Things and Profane" receives 4.2/5 stars (15 ratings), praised for its methodology. Amazon reviews for "What Can and Can't Be Said" (3.9/5 stars, 8 reviews) highlight its relevant analysis of Confederate monuments but note its scholarly tone may challenge general readers.

Architecture in the United States (1998) A survey of American architecture from pre-colonial times through the late 20th century, examining buildings in their social and cultural contexts.

Holy Things and Profane: Anglican Parish Churches in Colonial Virginia (1986) An examination of Anglican church architecture in colonial Virginia and its role in establishing social order.

Another City: Urban Life and Urban Spaces in the New American Republic (2008) Analysis of how early American cities were shaped by their inhabitants' social practices, beliefs, and daily activities.

What Can and Can't Be Said: Race, Uplift, and Monument Building in the Contemporary South (2015) Study of commemorative monuments and their relationship to race relations in the American South.

American Architecture: A Thematic History (2019) A chronological examination of American architectural history organized around key themes including capitalism, nature, and mobility.

Cities in the Making: Landscape, Identity, and Community in Early American History (2020) Investigation of how early American cities developed their distinct identities through architecture, planning, and social practices.

Madness in the Square: An Environmental History of Moral Treatment in America (2022) Analysis of how 19th-century asylum architecture reflected and shaped attitudes toward mental illness treatment.

Henry Glassie - An architectural and material culture historian who studies vernacular buildings and folk traditions across multiple cultures. His work on traditional architecture in Turkey and the American South explores similar themes to Upton's research on spatial practices and cultural meaning.

Richard Longstreth - His research focuses on American commercial and everyday architecture of the 19th and 20th centuries. He examines how ordinary buildings reflect social changes and cultural values, particularly in urban landscapes.

Dolores Hayden - She investigates the intersection of urban landscapes, public history, and cultural memory in American cities. Her work on gender, class and ethnicity in the built environment complements Upton's studies of power dynamics in architecture.

Bernard Herman - His scholarship centers on material culture and vernacular architecture in early America and the Caribbean. He uses detailed archival research and fieldwork to understand how buildings embody social relationships and cultural practices.

John Michael Vlach - He studies African American architectural and material culture traditions in the American South. His research on plantation landscapes and folk housing parallels Upton's work on power relations in colonial and antebellum architecture.