Raymond Hood

ABOUT RAYMOND HOOD

Chief designer of New York City's Rockefeller Center; known for his work with Art Deco. He never called himself an artist, as utility, not beauty, was his chief concern.

He attended Brown University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. His career took off after he won a contest to design the new Chicago Tribune building when he was 41.

He was also known for his work on the American Radiator Building, Myrtle Beach's Ocean Forest Country Club, the New York Daily News Building, and the McGraw-Hill Building.

His family was residing in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, when he was born. He married his secretary in 1920 and had three children.

He may have inspired the character of Peter Keating in "The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand .