Calvert Vaux

Born in London in 1824, Calvert Vaux was exposed to various types of architecture at a very young age while apprenticing with noted architect Lewis Nockalls Cottingham. Vaux appealed to Andrew Jackson Downing for many reasons. First, Vaux had a keen understanding of English and other European park designs. Second, Vaux, like Downing, had a great affection for the countryside. Third, Vaux had the ability to sketch rural scenery; a talent that figured significantly in the design competition, which resulted in victory for the Greensward Plan.(8)

Vaux moved to Manhattan in 1857 and at once became involved in the controversy over the design for Central Park. The plan accepted by park commissioners was that of Egbert Viele, chief engineer of the park at the time, whose unquestioned competence in the field of road making his not extend to that of art.(9) Vieles design did not satisfy the citys need for a large, open public park and did not incorporate the artistic characteristics of traditional English parks. These and other concerns raised by Vieles design led the park commissioners to call a design competition. When the competition was announce Vaux approached Olmsted and suggested a collaborative effort. The result was the Greensward Plan, which emerged from the competition victorious.(10)