Lorimer Rich

Lorimer Rich (December 24, 1891 – June 2, 1978) American architect, born in Camden, New York. He is now best remembered for collaborating with sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones on the winning entry in a nationwide competition to create a design for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Rich graduated from Syracuse University in 1914. This was followed by further studies in Europe, a standard move for many young American architects of that era. Shortly thereafter he joined the US Army and served in World War I. Upon returning to the United States he worked for the prestigious architectural firm McKim, Mead and White. In 1928 he established his own New York City firm.

Secretary of War Dwight F. Davis (left) and Major General B. F. Cheatham, Quartermaster General of the U.S. Army, inspect the accepted model and design for the completion of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (1928). The design by sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones and architect Lorimer Rich was selected after a competition in which 73 designs were submitted.

There he gained a reputation as a designer of post offices.[1]

Rich returned to Camden after retiring from practice and died there in 1978. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with his wife Martha Ross Leigh (1894–1987) not far from the Tomb of the Unknown.[2]