William Bell Dinsmoor, Jr.

William Bell Dinsmoor, Jr. (born July 2, 1923 New York City; died July 7, 1988 Athens, Greece) was a classical archaeologist and architectural historian. Dinsmoor was the son of William Bell Dinsmoor, Sr. and Zillah F. Pierce (1886-1960).

Dinsmoor studied at Phillips Exeter Academy and Columbia University, taking time out for active service in the military during World War II in India and China. He received a B.A. in modern languages in 1947 and degrees in architecture: Bachelor’s (1947) and Master’s (1951). Dinsmoor moved to Greece to assist Lucy Taxis Shoe Meritt with her survey of Greek architectural moulding and Carl Blegen on his books on Troy and Pylos. In the field, Dinsmoor worked with Oscar Broneer and helped publish the finds of the temple of Poseidon in Athens. In 1966 Dinsmoor was appointed architect for the archeological excavations of the Agora in Athens, a position which he held until his death.

Dinsmoor's main research focused on the propylaia to the acropolis in Athens, working to study its construction and establish its configuration during various phases.

Bibliography

* "The Propylaia to the Athenian Akropolis". 2 vols. Princeton, NJ: American School of Classical Studies at Athens, 1980.
* and John McKesson Camp "Ancient Athenian Building Methods". Athens: American School of Classical Studies at Athens, 1984.

References

* [obituaries:] JohnMcKesson Camp. "American Journal of Archaeology" 93 (April 1989): 233-4.
* "American School of Classical Studies at Athens Newsletter" no.22 (Fall1988):14.