Gardner, Paul Vickers, 1908-1994
Dates
- Existence: 1908 (date of birth) - 1994 (date of death) - 1994
Biography
Born in 1908, Paul V. Gardner spent his working life, nearly 30 years, as a curator of ceramics and glass at the Smithsonian Institution. Prior to that, he assisted Frederick Carder at Corning Glass Works while a student at Alfred University, where he studied ceramics. His experience working for Carder prompted Gardner to merge his interests in ceramics and glass.
Gardner continued to work at the Steuben Division alongside Carder after he graduated from Alfred. He designed Pyrex ovenware and glass architectural details for the Empire State Building and the RCA Building in New York City. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Gardner joined the Smithsonian in 1948. He retired in 1977.
Gardner published many articles throughout his long career, as well as a book on his friend and mentor Frederick Carder. _The Glass of Frederick Carder_, published in 1971, is considered to be the definitive book on Steuben Glass Works and founder Frederick Carder. Gardner died in 1994.