Architect. Upon leaving school, Wyman apprenticed in the architectural offices of his uncle, Luthor Peters. In 1891, he moved to Los Angeles where he worked as a draughtsman in the offices of Sumner Hunt. In 1892, Hunt was approached by the mining millionaire Lewis Bradbury to construct a landmark building for a site at the corner of Broadway and Third in downtown Los Angeles, however he was disappointed with Hunt's design and instead asked Wyman to design the building, despite the fact that he had no formal qualifications or training as an architect and hadn't previously designed a building. Wyman accepted the commission and Bradbury was pleased with the plans for a five story building which was completed a year later. The Bradbury Building with its light filled atrium and wrought iron decor was met with critical acclaim and received a positive review in Arts and Architecture magazine. Subsequently, Wyman received numerous commissions for new buildings in Los Angeles. Among other buildings he would go on to design were the Byrne Building (1895), Old Soldiers' Home (1895) and the Tajo Building (1897), as well as several private residences. A number of his buildings took on a heavy solid style and most have since been demolished while the Bradbury building, now a National Historical Landmark and Los Angeles tourist attraction, is still much celebrated and has been featured on television and in several films including 'Double Indemnity', 'Chinatown', 'Blade Runner', 'The Perfect Sleep' and 'Lethal Weapon 4'. Wyman, who had two daughters, was the grandfather of Sci-Fi writer and collector, Forrest J. Ackerman.
Architect. Upon leaving school, Wyman apprenticed in the architectural offices of his uncle, Luthor Peters. In 1891, he moved to Los Angeles where he worked as a draughtsman in the offices of Sumner Hunt. In 1892, Hunt was approached by the mining millionaire Lewis Bradbury to construct a landmark building for a site at the corner of Broadway and Third in downtown Los Angeles, however he was disappointed with Hunt's design and instead asked Wyman to design the building, despite the fact that he had no formal qualifications or training as an architect and hadn't previously designed a building. Wyman accepted the commission and Bradbury was pleased with the plans for a five story building which was completed a year later. The Bradbury Building with its light filled atrium and wrought iron decor was met with critical acclaim and received a positive review in Arts and Architecture magazine. Subsequently, Wyman received numerous commissions for new buildings in Los Angeles. Among other buildings he would go on to design were the Byrne Building (1895), Old Soldiers' Home (1895) and the Tajo Building (1897), as well as several private residences. A number of his buildings took on a heavy solid style and most have since been demolished while the Bradbury building, now a National Historical Landmark and Los Angeles tourist attraction, is still much celebrated and has been featured on television and in several films including 'Double Indemnity', 'Chinatown', 'Blade Runner', 'The Perfect Sleep' and 'Lethal Weapon 4'. Wyman, who had two daughters, was the grandfather of Sci-Fi writer and collector, Forrest J. Ackerman.
Bio by: Louis du Mort
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