Martin Luther King said he did more for civil rights than any other white man.
Esquire placed him on its cover in October, 1967, saying that he ought be the next president of the United States.
But J. Irwin Miller, CEO of Cummins Engine Company in Columbus, Ind., was too busy for that.
First Christian Church, Eliel Saarinen, Columbus, Ind., 1942
"In the early 1960s, he was head of the National Council of Churches," says Charles E. Rentschler, author of a new book on Miller. "The Ford Foundation and the Yale Corporation were hugely time-consuming, and then there was Cummins, Union Bank, Irwin Management Company and two or three others."
Miller was the mastermind behind a commitment to modern architecture in Columbus. He was instrumental in selecting Eliel Saarinen to design the First Christian Church, which set the town abuzzing.
"It was the first modern church to be built -- not just in Columbus, but in the U.S.," he says. "The townspeople thought that they were building a new factory -- the tower with its clock could be thought of as a smokestack."
Miller House, Eero Saarinen, Columbus, Ind, 1957; Landscape: Dan Kiley
That first church spurred a program of architecture that would result in 40 new schools and 36 additional bridges and buildings in town, all designed by nationally known architects. Most would design only one or two -- like SOM and Robert Venturi -- but some worked on more.
"Harry Weese did 10, and Kevin Roche did seven," he says. "Eero Saarinen did three -- a church, a bank and Miller's home."
Miller had set up the Cummins Engine Foundation for just such a purpose, putting aside five percent of the company's profits for modern architecture. And the company's profits in the 1960s and '70s were substantial, as the nation's transportation systems turned from rail to diesel-powered trucks on interstate highways.
North Christian Church, Eero Saarinen, Columbus, Ind., 1964
"He thought in the early 1960s that he could put Cummins on autopilot and go do other things," he says. "He thought Cummins could increase its profits by 300 percent in the '60s and 300 percent more in the 70s. And he almost did that -- he achieved 250 percent -- which was absolutely phenomenal growth."
Rentschler's book, The Cathedral Builder, is the first real biography of Miller. It's based on 85 days of research into his papers at the Indiana Historical Society, plus interviews with those who knew him.
It's a fascinating story about a humble Renaissance Man who left behind the best kind of legacy -- one that's articulated in human relations and in modern architecture.
For more information, go here.
J. Michael Welton writes about architecture, art and design for national and international publications, and edits and publishes a digital design magazine at www.architectsandartisans.com, where portions of this post first appeared. He is also the author of "Drawing from Practice: Architects and the Meaning of Freehand," due from Routledge Press in early May.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.