Elbridge Boyden

Who was Elbridge Boyden?

Elbridge Boyden was a prominent 19th-century American architect from Worcester, Massachusetts who designed numerous civil and public buildings throughout New England and other parts of the United States. Perhaps his best known work is Mechanics Hall in Worcester.

Boyden was born in Vermont on July 4, 1810 to Amos Boyden, a Revolutionary War Veteran. His mother was Abigail Boyden. The family moved to Orange, Massachusetts where Elbridge was educated. At age sixteen he moved to Athol, Massachusetts where he apprenticed as a carpenter and studied architecture. He moved to Worcester in 1844 where he established his architecture practice. He married Louisa Davis of Royalston, Massachusetts.

In 1849, Boyden became associated with civil engineer Phineas Ball. The pair operated as Boyden & Ball from 1849 to 1860.

Later in his career his son joined his firm, then known as Elbridge Boyden & Son. Elbridge Boyden was also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, and served a term as vice-president of the Massachusetts Chapter. He died in Worcester on March 25, 1898.