Philip Johnson

A spectacular visual biography of one of the most celebrated architects and cultural icons of the twentieth century

With his elegant suits and trademark round black glasses, Philip Johnson - a witty, wealthy, and well-connected architect - was for many years the most powerful figure in the society and politics of his profession. This impressively illustrated book traces his seven decades of larger-than-life influence, innovation, and controversy in the realm of architecture and beyond. Hundreds of images and documents, many published here for the first time, trace the remarkable life and career of a true legend.

Philip Johnson is most celebrated for his role as the first director of the Architecture Department at The Museum of Modern Art in New York, and for his home in Connecticut, the famous Glass House.

Ian Volner has published widely, including in such publications as The Wall Street Journal, Harper's, and Artforum, and is a contributing editor at Surface and Architect. In 2016, his book This Is Frank Lloyd Wright was a recipient of the DAM Architecture Book Award. He lives in Manhattan.