CAMPEN, RICHARD NEWMAN (1 Aug. 1912 - 24 Oct. 1997) was an architectural historian and author who wrote extensively on architecture and outdoor sculpture in his native state. He was born in Cleveland to Otille (Newman), a school teacher and housewife, and Mort J. Campen, of Campen Bros. dress manufacturers. He graduated Cleveland Heights High School in 1930 and earned a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College in 1934. He worked in the chemical industry, first in technical sales and later in research, but his passion for art and architecture inspired a second career. An avid photographer, during the 1960s he converted his hobby into a business by establishing Educational Art Transparencies, which marketed slides collected while traveling to colleges and universities. He took classes in art history at Kent State University and the CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART, and devoted the last 30 years of his life to teaching and publishing books about fine architecture, public design, and travel. He taught art history and architectural appreciation courses at John Carroll University and Hiram College. He frequently contributed articles to the PLAIN DEALER, but was best known for his many books about local architecture and outdoor sculpture. Among over a dozen books that he authored, designed, and illustrated with his own photography were Architecture of the Western Reserve, 1800-1900 (1971),Outdoor Sculpture in Ohio (1980), Ohio—An Architectural Portrait (1973), Distinguished Homes of Shaker Heights (1992), Chautauqua Impressions and Sanibel and Captiva—Enchanting Islands. He was a founding member of the Cleveland Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians, and member of the Decorative Arts Society. He actively supported efforts to preserve architectural heritage, and in 1971 earned the Western Reserve Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to promoting scholarly research in architectural history. A lecture fund was established in his name at CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY. He married Helen Selden on April 26, 1937, and they had two sons, Richard and Selden. The Campens lived in University Heights, Chagrin Falls, and Beachwood, before moving to Florida in 1993. Mr. Campen died at his home in Fort Myers and is buried in Mayfield Cemetery.
Finding aid for the Richard N. Campen Papers. WRHS.
Finding aid for the Richard N. Campen Photographs. WRHS.