Graham, Anderson, Probst & White
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Graham, Anderson, Probst & White is a Chicago architecture firm that was founded in 1912 originally as Graham, Burnham & Co. This firm was the successor to D. H. Burnham & Co. by Daniel Burnham's surviving partner Ernest Graham and Burnham's sons Hubert Burnham and Daniel Burnham Jr. In 1917, the Burnhams left to form Burnham Brothers, and Graham and the others, (William) Peirce Anderson, Edward Mathias Probst, and Howard Judson White formed the current firm.
Graham, Anderson, Probst and White was the largest architectural firm under one roof in the first half of the twentieth century. Their importance to Chicago's architectural legacy cannot be overstated. This one firm seemed to capture the majority of the big commissions from 1912 to 1936, including such iconic works as the Wrigley Building, Merchandise Mart, Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Civic Opera House, and the old main U. S. Post Office. They also created the iconic Terminal Tower in Cleveland. Mr. Anderson died in 1924, with Graham and White following just weeks apart in 1936. Surviving partner Probst took over the firm, assisted by his sons Marvin and Edward E. Probst.
After Mr. Probst's death in 1942, his son Marvin G. Probst took over as firm president. Edward E. Probst left the firm about 1947. Just prior to Marvin's death in 1970, the firm was sold to an employee, William R. Surnam and since his death in 1993, it is being run by his son Robert Surnam.
The firm is known for its classical taste and the elegance of its Beaux Arts-inspired output that has withstood multiple generations of critics. Their buildings are still popular favorites.
