Philip Johnson, pro-Nazi support - publications list

A creepy art, design and Nazi publicity compilation. "We forgave, but we didn’t forget," [Jewish architect Frank] Gehry was quoted Wednesday [after the death of Philip Johnson]. "He was so powerful a force for the good in our profession that it overwhelmed all negatives." Deutsche Welle (Berlin) (28 January 2005).

R.J. Preece (ADP)
Art Design Publicity at ADC (Twist, Twist, Snap Remix) | 30 November 2023 | Updated 24 July 2024

Spotlighted video

Rachel Maddow, MSNBC broadcast, 12 February 2024, referring to Tucker Carlson, Vladimir Putin and Philip Johnson: "With [Johnson], we had a committed American fascist allied with the Nazis, openly routing for them, trying to sell us this bill of goods." (Start at 8:07.)

Spotlighted video

See Lyden, Tom. (8 February 2021). FOX 9 news (KMSP) (Minneapolis, Minnesota) entry below for more details.

Spotlighted video

See Mason, Anthony (presumably 20 April 2019). CBS news entry below for more details. Mason: "Johnson’s former secretary told the FBI he wanted to be Hitler in the United States..."

1930s

1932 - information, FBI document

(1932). Information in: (23 May 1940). Memorandum for Mr. E. A. Tamm [presumably Edgar Allen Tamm, (Special) Assistant to J. Edgar Hoover; regarding Philip Johnson; from A. Rosen], 2 pp. Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC. [FBI file - Philip Johnson, document no. 100-32734-X]. (Viewed 4 July 2024. S01414).

"... [Johnson] has often in his conversations since 1932 expressed his interest in the coming Revolution and has stated that things will be different ’when the revolution comes’... "

Online - archive.org.

1933 - information, FBI document

(1933). Information in: (20 September 1940). Memorandum for the Special Agent in Charge, re. Philip Johnson; Bruce Simmons, interior decorator, informant. (Simmons states that Johnson encouraged him to join "The Greyshirts".) (Viewed 5 July 2024. S01440).

See listing with link in "1940 - other intelligence documents" below.

c. 1933-34 - PJ’s secretary speaks to FBI (in 1942)

(c. 1933-34). Ruth Merrill, regarding Philip Johnson, as reported by Kenneth M. Bierly in New York City (19 September 1942). Character of case: Internal security. Federal Bureau of Investigation (NY file no. 100-6004 ITN). (See 19 September 1942 entry below for quote.) (Viewed 4 December 2023.)

Note that the FBI didn’t start watching Philip Johnson until 1940 and therefore everything prior to 1940 is a recollection and explains why what we know about his actions, etc. before 1940 is actually arguably thin
Note: It is BEST PRACTICE to secure a copy of Johnson’s declassified FBI file DIRECTLY from the source, the FBI, via an FOIA request.
Online - archive.org. (See p. 118 for report mentioned above, and note there are many unconfirmed allegations.)
Online (Johnson FBI file, pt. 1) - scribd.com.
Online (Johnson FBI file, pt. 2) - scribd.com.

Click the photo to see part one of Philip Johnson’s declassified FBI report.

Huey Long, Democratic governor then Senator of Louisiana, was a fascist demagogue credited with building various public works projects for the poor. He also advocated for significant reforms for the far more equitable distribution of income during the Depression.

1934 - spotlighted news brief

UP (New York). (18 December 1934). Museum heads enter politics; study "Kingfish" [about Alan Blackburn, executive director of the Museum of Modern Art, as leader, and Philip Johnson, as co-founder of new National Party advocating for a new form of government, and their interest in the authoritarian Democrat Senator / former governor Huey Long from Louisiana]. Rochester Times-Union (New York), p. 1. col. 2. (Viewed 8 December 2023. S00649).

Online - fultonhistory.com. (Search "Rochester NY Times Union 1934 - 8866").

philip johnson

1934 - spotlighted photo / caption

Unknown photo agency. (21 December 1934). Captiion: On trail of Huey Long [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson] (above). The Daily Argus (Mount Vernon, New York), presumably p. 18. (Viewed 22 June 2024. S01347).

Online - fultonhistory.com. (Search "Mount Vernon NY Daily Argus 1934 - 6167".)

1934 - other articles

See the articles

1934 - article

(18 December 1934). Two foresake art to found a party; Museum Modernists prepare to go to Louisiana at once to study Huey Long’s ways; Gray shirt their symbol; Young Harvard graduates think politics need more "emotion" and less "intellectualism" [regarding Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson]. New York Times, p. 23. (Updated 6 July 2024. S00644).

"... ’The idea of founding a new party originated with me,’ Mr. Blackburn said. ’Both Mr. Johnson and I have been interested in the book written by Lawrence Dennis. ’The doom of capitalism,’ but he did not start this party.’

Last summer the two new political leaders traveled throughout the country by automobile, stopping every two hours to talk with people. The purpose was to study American life..." (Excerpt from above.)

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1934 - article

(18 December 1934). Two quit modern art museum for sur-realist political venture; Blackburn and Johnson, with no program but one party for nation, start Saturday for Louisiana to study the interesting, to them, Huey Long [regarding, and with photo of, Philip Johnson and Alan Blackburn]. New York Herald, p. 1. (Viewed 24 June 2024. S00643).

"... The adventure begins on Saturday, after Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Johnson have taken leave of the museum, for which they expressed great admiration and after they have collected necessary supplies. They were attacking the problem of firearms yesterday. Mr Johnson favored a submachine gun, but Mr. Blackburn preferred one of the larger types of pistol. When such difficulties are settled the baggage will be packed in Mr. Johnson’s large Packard touring car and they will set off..." (Excerpt from above.)

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1934 - article

(18 December 1934). Two wise men found a party [regarding Philip Johnson and Alan Blackburn]. The New York Sun, p. 20. (Viewed 30 May 2024. S01126).

"Led by two very earnest young men, a new Gray Shirt party has entered the field of American politics..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - fultonhistory.com. (Search "New York NY Sun 1934 a - 1725").

1934 - news brief

A. P. (New York). (18 December 1934). Aspiring politicians take Long as model; N. Y. museum executives for form own party [regarding Philip Johnson and Alan Blackburn]. The Montreal Daily Star (Canada), p. 16. (Viewed 29 May 2024. S01123).

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1934 - news brief

AP (New York - Dec. 17). (18 December 1934). To Huey for advice [regarding Philip Johnson and Alan Blackburn]. St. Joseph Gazette (Missouri), p. 1, col. 2. (Viewed 31 May 2024. S01144).

"Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson resigned their positions at the Museum of Modern Art today to study Senator Huey Long’s methods and build a private political party..." (Excerpt from above.)

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1934 - news brief

AP (New York, Dec. 18). (18 December 1934). Two New York men to form new party; Resign museum positions to study methods of Senator Huey Long [regarding Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson].The Daily Argus-Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota), p. 2. (Viewed 30 May 2024. S01132).

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1934 - news brief

New York Bureau of The Sun (New York - Dec. 17). (18 December 1934). Quit art for politics and study of Kingfish; Blackburn and Johnson, of Museum of Modern Art in N. Y., to further own party. The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), p. 3. (Viewed 30 May 2024. S01130).

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1934 - news brief

UP (New York, Dec. 18). (18 December 1934). National party in announced; Being formed by Executive Director of Museum of Modern Art [regarding Philip Johnson and Alan Blackburn]. Times-Herald (Olean, New York), p. 1. (Viewed 30 May 2024. S01127).

Online - fultonhistory.com. (Search "Olean.NY Times Herald 1934 02533").

1934 - news brief

UP (New York - Dec. 18). (18 December 1934). New party founders to study Huey Long [regarding Philip Johnson and Alan Blackburn]. Dunkirk Evening Observer (Dunkirk, New York), p. 9. (Viewed 31 May 2024. S01145).

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1934 - news brief

UP (New York, Dec. 18). (18 December 1934). New party is formed; two artists launch "national" party with 100 members [regarding Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson]. Wichita Eagle (Kansas), p. 7. (Viewed 30 May 2024. S01129).

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1934 - news brief

U. P. (New York - Dec. 18). (18 December 1934). New party is formed with just 2 members [regarding Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson]. Buffalo Evening News (New York), p. 3. (Viewed 30 May 2024. S01131).

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1934 - news brief

United Press (New York, Dec. 18). (18 December 1934). Two political "adventurers’ form the "National" party [regarding Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson]. The Binghampton Press (New York), p. 5. (Viewed 30 May 2024. S01128).

Online - fultonhistory.com. (Search "Binghamton NY Press Grayscale 1934 - 8038".)

1934 - article

(19 December 1934). Artists at politics [regarding Philip Johnson and Alan Blackburn aiming to build a political party]. The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), p. 12. (Viewed 13 June 2024. S01334).

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1934 - article

UP (New York, Dec. 18). (19 December 1934). Leading shirt-nation of world new title given United States [regarding Philip Johnson and Alan Blackburn]. Miami Beach Tribune (Florida), p. 6. (Viewed 12 June 2024. S01337).

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1934 - article

U. P. (New York, Dec. 19). (19 December 1934). Gray Shirts organized by idle artists; new political group brings world shirt record to U. S. [regarding Philip Johnson and Alan Blackburn]. Marshall Evening Messenger (Marshall, Texas), p. 8. (Viewed 12 June 2024. S01338).

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1934 - news brief

U. P. (New York, Dec. 19). (19 December 1934). National party will be formed; leaders to study policy and personality of Huey Long [regarding Philip Johnson and Alan Blackburn]. Columbia Missourian (Columbia, Missouri), p. 4. (Viewed 22 June 2024. S01342).

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1934 - article

Wright, Theon [presumed sic] (United Press). (19 December 1934). Uncle Sam tops again— this time it’s shirts [regarding Philip Johnson and Alan Blackburn]. Long Beach Sun (Long Beach, California), p. 1. (Viewed 12 June 2024. S01336).

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1934 - article

Wright, Theron (United Press). (19 December 1934). Gray Shirts, apparently new shirt gang to end all shirt gangs, organized by artists [regarding Philip Johnson and Alan Blackburn]. The Great Falls Leader (Great Falls, Montana), p. 3. (Viewed 13 June 2024. S01335).

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1934 - article mention

S. B. H. (20 December 1934). Every day in every way [a presumed recurring column, with mention of Philip Johnson and Alan Blackburn starting a new group / political party]. Intelligencer Journal (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), p. 10. (Viewed 22 June 2024. S01339).

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1934 - article

UP (New York, Dec. 19). (20 December 1934). Gray shirts organized by idle artists; New political group brings world shirt record to U. S. [regarding Philip Johnson and Alan Blackburn]. The Marshall Morning News (Marshall, Texas), p. 8. (Viewed 22 June 2024. S01343).

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1934 - article

U. P. (New York, Dec. 19). (20 December 1934). U. S. leads all shirt nations; Gray ones added to list of five others now flourishing [regarding Philip Johnson and Alan Blackburn]. The Morning Call (Paterson, New Jersey), p. 4.(Viewed 22 June 2024. S01344).

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1934 - article

Wright, Theon [presumed sic] (UP - New York, Dec. 20). (20 December 1934). Gray shirts form party; Members desire to set up a principality in Louisiana [regarding Philip Johnson and Alan Blackburn]. Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch (Virginia), p. 4. (Viewed 22 June 2024. S01340).

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1934 - article

Wright, Theon [presumed sic] (UP - New York, Dec. 20). (20 December 1934). Takes head as a shirt-nation; The gray shirt is the sixth and latest to be adopted in the United States [regarding Philip Johnson and Alan Blackburn]. The Reidsville Review (Reidsville, North Carolina), p. 12. (Viewed 22 June 2024. S01345).

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1934 - article

Wright, Theon [presumed sic] (United Press - New York, Dec. 19). (20 December 1934). Gray shirts make America no. 1 among shirt-nations [regarding Philip Johnson and Alan Blackburn]. Tampa Morning Tribune (Florida), p. 4. (Viewed 22 June 2024. S01346).

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1934 - news brief

AP (New York, Dec. 20). (21 December 1934). Two New York men to form new party [regarding Philip Johnson and Alan Blackburn]. Deadwood Pioneer-Times (Deadwood, South Dakota), unknown page number. (Viewed 22 June 2024. S01352).

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philip johnson

1934 - photo / caption

CP (Central Press). (21 December 1934). Caption: Quit art to knife Huey Long [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson] (above). The Daily Courier (Connellsville, Pennsylvania), p. 1. (Viewed 24 June 2024. S01348).

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1934 - photo / caption

CP (Central Press). (21 December 1934). Caption: Quit art to knife Huey Long [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson]. Marshall Evening Chronicle (Marshall, Michigan), p. 8. (Viewed 24 June 2024. S01351).

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philip johnson

1934 - photo / caption

CP (Central Press). (21 December 1934). Caption: Quit art to knife Huey Long [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson] (above). Troy Daily News (Troy, Ohio), p. 1. (Viewed 23 June 2024. S01355).

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philip johnson

1934 - photo / caption

Unknown photo agency. (21 December 1934). Caption: On trail of Huey Long [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson] (above). Evening Times (Vineland, New Jersey), p. 8. (Viewed 24 June 2024. S01350).

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philip johnson

1934 - photo / caption

Unknown photo agency. (21 December 1934). Caption: On trail of Huey Long [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson] (above). The Standard-Star (New Rochelle, New York), p. 30. (Viewed 24 June 2024. S01353).

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philip johnson

1934 - photo / caption

Unknown photo agency. (21 December 1934). Caption: On trail of Huey Long [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson] (above). The Sunbury Item (Sunbury, Pennsylvania), p. 1. (Viewed 24 June 2024. S01349).

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1934 - article

Wright, Theon [presumably sic] (UP - New York, Dec. 20). (21 December 1934). New clan in shirt tribe; Gray shirts plan study of Huey Long tactics [regarding Philip Johnson and Alan Blackburn]. Wichita Falls Record News (Wichita Falls, Texas), p. 11. (Viewed 22 June 2024. S01354).

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philip johnson

1934 - photo / caption

Central Press. (22 December 1934). Caption: On trail of Huey Long [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson] (above). The Bath Daily Times (Bath, Maine), p. 1. (Viewed 26 June 2024. S01361).

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philip johnson

1934 - photo / caption

CP (Central Press). (22 December 1934). Caption: Quit art to knife Huey Long [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson] (above). Beaver Dam Daily Citizen (Beaver Dam, Wisconsin), p. 1. (Viewed 24 June 2024. S01356).

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philip johnson

1934 - photo / caption

CP (Central Press). (22 December 1934). Caption: Quit art to knife Huey Long [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson] (above). Carroll Daily Herald (Carroll, Iowa), p. 1. (Viewed 24 June 2024. S01357).

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philip johnson

1934 - photo / caption

CP (Central Press). (22 December 1934). Caption: Quit art to knife Huey Long [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson] (above). The Circleville Herald (Circleville, Ohio), p. 1. (Viewed 25 June 2024. S01358).

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philip johnson

1934 - photo / caption

CP (Central Press). (22 December 1934). Caption: Quit art to knife Huey Long [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson] (above). Fremont Messenger (Fremont, Ohio), p. 12. (Viewed 26 June 2024. S01360).

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philip johnson

1934 - photo / caption

Unknown photo agency. (22 December 1934). Caption: On trail of Huey Long [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson] (above). The Evening Times (Sayre, Pennsylvania), p. 1. (Viewed 25 June 2024. S01359).

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philip johnson

1934 - photo / caption

Unknown photo agency. (22 December 1934). Caption: On trail of Huey Long [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson] (above). Holyoke Daily Transcript and Telegram (Massachusetts), p. 13. (Viewed 26 June 2024. S01362).

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philip johnson

1934 - photo / caption

Unknown photo agency. (22 December 1934). Caption: On trial of Huey Long [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson] (above). Virginian-Pilot and Norfolk Landmark (Norfolk, Virginia), part IV, p. 8. (Viewed 25 June 2024. S01363).

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philip johnson

1934 - photo / caption

CP (Central Press). (23 December 1934). Caption: Out to get Kingfish’s scalp [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson] (above). Miami Beach Tribune (Florida), p. 15. (Viewed 25 June 2024. S01364).

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philip johnson

1934 - photo / caption

CP (Central Press). (23 December 1934). Caption: Quit art to knife Huey Long [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson] (above). Sunday News (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), p. 2. (Viewed 25 June 2024. S01365).

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1934 - article

U. P. (New York, Dec. 22). (23 December 1934). Latest shirt sect to study long tactics; But the boys in gray don’t want Huey to join them [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson]. Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, New York), p. 5A. (Viewed 26 June 2024. S01387).

Online - fultonhistory.com. (Search "Rochester NY Democrat Chronicle 1934 - 6745".)

philip johnson

1934 - photo / caption

CP (Central Press). (24 December 1934). Caption: Quit art to knife Huey Long [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson] (above). The Daily Review (Clifton Forge, Virginia), p. 2. (Viewed 26 June 2024. S01367).

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philip johnson

1934 - photo / caption

CP (Central Press). (24 December 1934). Caption: Quit art to knife Huey Long [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson] (above). Mason City Globe-Gazette (Mason City, Iowa), presumably p. 11. (Viewed 26 June 2024. S01368).

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1934 - article

(New York, Dec. 23). (24 December 1934). Founders of new party off for appraisal of "Kingfish"; two Harvard grads resign New York posts to launch movement— objective vague [regarding Philip Johnson and Alan Blackburn]. Boston Globe, p. 2. (Viewed 6 July 2024. S01366).

"... The visit to the Kingfish is to decide whether [Huey Long] is a demagogue or a great man, and whether, regardless of the verdict, his political methods and doctrines should be adopted by the Nationalists... both of them— left yesterday afternoon in a high-priced coupe.." (Excerpt from above.)

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philip johnson

1934 - photo / caption

Unknown photo agency. (24 December 1934). Caption: On trail of Huey Long [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson] (above). Pottstown Mercury (Pottstown, Pennsylvania), p. 9. (Viewed 24 June 2024. S01369).

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philip johnson

1934 - photo / caption

Central Press. (25 December 1934). Caption: On trail of Huey Long [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson] (above). Great Falls Tribune (Great Falls, Montana), p. 10. (Viewed 24 June 2024. S01370).

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philip johnson

1934 - photo / caption

Unknown photo agency. (25 December 1934). Caption: On trail of Huey Long [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson] (above). The Morning Call (Paterson, New Jersey), Passaic and Clifton Section, unknown page number. (Viewed 24 June 2024. S01371).

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philip johnson

1934 - photo / caption

Central Press. (26 December 1934). News of the world as told in pictures, (including) caption: On trail of Huey Long [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson] (above). Tyler Morning Telegragh (Tyler, Texas), p. 7. (Viewed 26 June 2024. S01373).

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philip johnson

1934 - photo / caption

CP (Central Press). (26 December 1934). Caption: Quit art to tackle Huey [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson] (above). Montana Standard (Butte, Montana), p. 1. (Viewed 24 Junr 2024. S01372).

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philip johnson

1934 - photo / caption

Unknown photo agency. (28 December 1934). The camera reveals outstanding happenings in Nassau and the nation; caption: On trail of Huey Long [with photo of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson] (above). The Nassau Daily Review (Nassau County, Long Island, New York), p. 20. (Viewed 6 July 2024. S01418.)

Online - NYS Historic Newspapers.

1934 - article

Wright, Theon [presumably sic] (United Press - New York, Dec. 29). (30 December 1934). New "shirt" group gives U. S. lead among nations [regarding Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson]. The San Bernardino Daily Sun (California), p. 17. (Viewed 26 June 2024. S01388).

Online - California Digital Newspaper Collection.

1935 - article

AP (New York) (Feb. 4). (5 February 1935). Huey has full support of National Party, two votes; both members strong for Long because he flashes and goes "boom!" Buffalo Courier Express (New York), p. 1 & p. 3, col. 2. (Viewed 8 December 2023. S00650).

"... The National party, composed of Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson... made its announcement after a ten-day visit to New Orleans... Blackburn[:]... ’We knew we were Long men as soon as we saw him...’ " (Excerpt from above.)

Online - fultonhistory.com. (Search "Buffalo NY Courier Express 1935 - 0329" and "Buffalo NY Courier Express 1935 - 0331").

1935 - article mention - Blackburn

(12 August 1935). Long’s wealth plan to be discussed [by Alan Blackburn, associate of Philip Johnson, at a public meeting of the Queens County Progressive Committee at American Legion Hall, Flushing-Hillcrest]. Long Island Daily Press (Jamaica, New York), p. 5, col. 1. (Viewed 8 December 2023. S00651).

"... Two talking motion pictures, "State of the nation, 1935" and "I’m an American", will be presented. These were prepared by Blackburn." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - fultonhistory.com. (Search "Jamaica NY Long Island Daily Press 1935 - 4515".)

Huey Long died on 10 September 1935, two days after being shot in an assassination attempt.

Sept 1935 context - in Nazi Germany

Click to see

Sep 1935 - article - Nazi regime makes Nazi flag official flag of Germany

(September 15, Berlin). (16 September 1935). Swastika to be national flag. Manchester Guardian (England), p. 9. (Viewed 9 September 2023. N00651).

Offline - contact area public library.

Sep 1935 - article - Nuremberg laws against Jews

[September 15, Berlin]. (16 September 1935). Herr Hitler’s declaration / The terms of the three laws. Manchester Guardian, p. 9. (Viewed 9 September 2023. N00651).

Offline - contact area public library.

1935-40 - spotlighted bits from Schulze (1994)

Schulze, Franz. (1994). Mentions of 1935-40 activity by Philip Johnson. In: Philip Johnson: Life and work, pp. 108, 119-43. Alfred A. Knopf. (Updated 28 June 2024. S00594; S01394).

"... whatever his motivations, [Johnson] appears to have pulled back from close contact with Germany by the end of 1934. He did not return there until 1937...

NOTE: Notice the huge amount of time with activity unknown at this juncture... also, notice in book sources that the only declassified US intelligence source is the FBI file and that little / no German intelligence is referred to, presumably not yet pulled, for example out of German Consul to Cleveland Karl Kapp’s office, nor anything from the UK...

... by mid-August of 1935... he returned with Blackburn to New London (Ohio)... In February of 1936, he and Blackburn made direct contact with Coughlin...

[6 September 1936, rally for 80-100,000 in Chicago for Father Coughlin, Johnson designs pavilion and is presumably there.]

... [in summer 1937] Philip went abroad, back to Germany [including Berlin]... summer was nearly over, Philip, back in New London, took over the organization of the town’s Labor Day celebration...

In November 1937, Blackburn got married and moved to New York...

[In 1938] As soon as the weather was warm, he was en route to Germany...

We know little more of his life in the fall and winter of 1938-1939, following his return to New York...

[Travel in summer 1939 to London, Paris, Berlin, Poland, to Istanbul and back to Germany]

[Traveled to the Polish front with Nazi German officials in September 1939. Back in the US in October.]

"Credibly enough, the FBI dossier reports that he helped found the American Fellowship Forum in New York in the fall of 1939. The editor of Today’s Challenge, whom Philip befriended, was Friedrich Ernst Auhagen... eventually prosecuted by the U. S. government and convicted as a Nazi agent. A similar legal fate was in store for the assistant editor, George Sylvester Vierick... whose sedition trial, as we shall see, intruded upon Philip’s later personal life..." (Excerpts from above.)

Online - archive.org.

father coughlin cleveland convention Left: cover of Social Justice, 10 August 1936; right: Alan Blackburn speaking at the National Union convention.

philip johnson Cover of The Sun (Baltimore) on 15 August 1936, with top left column about Coughlin convention, mentioning speaker Alan Blackburn.

1936 - photo in article - Blackburn speaking at National Union conference, Cleveland

(14-16 August 1936). Photo of Alan Blackburn speaking at National Union convention, Cleveland, in: (16 November 1936) Message of Youth to Nation given in new radio program. Social Justice, p. 10. (Viewed 1 July 2024. S01406; S01408).

Online - photo - University of Detroit Mercy library, Detroit (shown above).
Online - earlier preview of convention in Social Justice - University of Detroit Mercy library, Detroit (shown above).
I have not seen confirmation that Johnson was in Cleveland for the convention, but one assumes he was there, in part networking. I assume his public visibility (in media and communications) was intentionally limited, as his father was a prominent Clevelander (although noting his father was, like others, near those with business interests in Germany).

1936 - spotlighted article mention, Blackburn

Mencken, H. L. (Cleveland, Aug. 14). (15 August 1936). Roosevelt competition takes edge off opening of Coughlin convention; rhetoricians give delegates eight grueling hours of speeches... Radio priest expounds lesson on economics [with mention of Alan Blackburn] (above). The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), p. 1, col. 1. (Viewed 6 July 2024 S01430).

"... The main speech of the morning was made by the Hon. Rush D. Holt, the boy Senator from West Virginia, but Father Coughlin also spoke, and so did the Hon. Martin L. Sweeney, the temporary chairman, and the Hon. Alan Blackburn, a young man from Harvard, who described himself as the representative of the embattled youth of the Republic..." (Excerpt from above.)

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1936 - spotlighted possible radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 8 November 1936). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD, Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM. (Viewed 1 July 2024. S01406).

Online - presumed excerpt of broadcast (likely 8 but could be 16 Nov 1936) - (16 November 1936). Message of Youth to Nation given in new radio program. Social Justice, p. 10 - University of Detroit Mercy library, Detroit.
Presumably this was a weekly broadcast, but likely with gaps, as stated in Online - (14 December 1936). Youth, impatient with excuses, demands action and leadership Social Justice, p. 10. University of Detroit Mercy library, Detroit.

1936 - article - Johnson, Blackburn, radio program

(16 November 1936). Message of Youth to Nation given in new radio program [regarding Philip Johnson and Alan Blackburn, with photo of Blackburn at earlier Cleveland convention of the National Union, mid-August 1936, and presumable excerpt of transcript of Blackburn on the radio program]. Social Justice, p. 10. (Viewed 1 July 2024. S01406).

"’Youth and the Nation’ was the title of a new radio broadcast which came over the airwaves last Sunday from station WSPD at Toledo, Ohio. It was announced as sponsored at full commercial rates by Philip Johnson and Alan Blackburn, ’two men desirous of presenting the youth’s viewpoint to the nation’ ..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - University of Detroit Mercy library, Detroit.

1936 - spotlighted article

(14 December 1936). Youth, impatient with excuses, demands action and leadership [is an excerpt of a transcript of a speech on an undated broadcast for Blackburn and Johnson’s "Youth and the nation" program on WSPD, Toledo, Ohio]. Social Justice, p. 10. (Viewed 1 July 2024. S01407).

Online - University of Detroit Mercy library, Detroit.

1936 - other broadcasts

See the listings

Note that the state of digitization of the Cleveland and Toledo papers is problematic, apart from The Cleveland Plain-Dealer. After presumed, eventual digitization, there may be possible radio program listings and additional articles shown via search. Also note that Lamster (2018) writes that the broadcasts extended for 13 weeks (ch. 7, second paragraph, Kindle version) but I can’t identify the source.

1936 - possible radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 15 November 1936). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM. (Viewed 1 July 2024. S01406).

Online - possible excerpt of broadcast (likely 8 but could be 16 Nov 1936) - (16 November 1936). Message of Youth to Nation given in new radio program. Social Justice, p. 10 - University of Detroit Mercy library, Detroit.
Presumably this was a weekly broadcast, but likely with gaps, as stated in Online - (14 December 1936). Youth, impatient with excuses, demands action and leadership Social Justice, p. 10. University of Detroit Mercy library, Detroit.

1936 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 22 November 1936). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.
For reference, see article / excerpt of transcript of broadcast in listing of Social Justice (14 December 1936) above.

1936 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 29 November 1936). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.
For reference, see article / excerpt of transcript of broadcast in listing of Social Justice (14 December 1936) above.

1936 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 6 December 1936). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.
For reference, see article / excerpt of transcript of broadcast in listing of Social Justice (14 December 1936) above.

1936 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 13 December 1936). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.
For reference, see article / excerpt of transcript of broadcast in listing of Social Justice (14 December 1936) above.

1936 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 20 December 1936). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.
For reference, see article / excerpt of transcript of broadcast in listing of Social Justice (14 December 1936) above.

1936 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 27 December 1936). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.
For reference, see article / excerpt of transcript of broadcast in listing of Social Justice (14 December 1936) above.

1937 - spotlighted article - Blackburn

(22 March 1937). The spirit of the America is asleep; Only greater zeal can beat zeal of Reds; Radio address, unspecified date, by Alan Blackburn broadcast over station WSPD, Toledo, Ohio, under auspices of Youth and the Nation. Social Justice, p. 16. (Viewed 1 July 2024. S01405).

Online - University of Detroit Mercy library, Detroit.

1937 - spotlighted article

(22 March 1937). The spirit of the America is asleep; Youths unite after air talk, crave action [regarding Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson]. Social Justice, p. 16. (Viewed 1 July 2024. S01405).

"... Alan Blackburn and Philip Johnson began their series of broadcasts on November 8, 1936, over station WSPD in Toledo, Ohio. So much interest was aroused by their active campaign on the air that on January 10, in response to thousands of letters. Youth and the Nation held the first public meeting and formed an organization to bear the same name as the radio broadcasts...

On February 14, the Youth and the Nation broadcast was mysteriously cut off the air for seven minutes when a power line leading to the transmission was ’broken’. Youth and the Nation has openly accused Communists of prepetrating this act of violence..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - University of Detroit Mercy library, Detroit.

1937 - spotlighted article - Blackburn, Dennis, Toledo

(Toledo, Ohio, June 6). (7 June 1937). Probe of Toledo fascists demanded. Daily Worker (New York), p. 2. (Viewed 28 June 2024. S01396).

"The Communist Party of this city calls upon all trade unions, liberal and progressive organizations to demand the investigation of an outright fascist organization which calls itself ’Youth and the Nation’...

The statement of the Toledo Communist Party follows in part:

... For two consecutive Sundays, this Hitleristic gang of hoodlums, numbering between fifty and a hundred have demonstrated in front of the Workers’ Bookshop and the office of the Communist Pary at 214 Michigan Street. Their purpose, obviously, is to provoke trouble...

... ’Youth and the Nation’ definitely pursues the program of Fascism although they deny it. They brought Lawrence Dennis, an avowed fascist, to speak in Toledo. Alan Blackburn, one of the leaders of the leaders of the bald-headed youth of ’Youth and the Nation’, a would-be ’Fuehrer’ or ’Duce’, in his radio speech over WJR Detriot, has begun a vicious campaign of slander against the progressive trade union movement of America..." (Excerpts from above.)

Online - fultonhistory.com. (Search "New York NY Daily Worker 1937 Mar- Jun 1937 00638".)

1937 - other broadcasts

See the listings

1937 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 3 January 1937). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.
For reference, see article / excerpt of transcript of broadcast in listing of Socail Justice (14 December 1936) above.

1937 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 10 January 1937). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.

1937 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 17 January 1937). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.

1937 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 24 January 1937). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.

1937 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 31 January 1937). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.

1937 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 7 February 1937). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.
See above as possible broadcast content: (22 March 1937). The spirit of the America is asleep; Only greater zeal can beat zeal of Reds. Social Justice, p. 16.

1937 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 14 February 1937). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.
See above as possible broadcast content: (22 March 1937). The spirit of the America is asleep; Only greater zeal can beat zeal of Reds. Social Justice, p. 16.
Also see above: (22 March 1937). The spirit of the America is asleep; Youths unite after air talk, crave action. Social Justice, p. 16: "On February 14, the Youth and the Nation broadcast was mysteriously cut off the air for seven minutes when a power line leading to the transmission was ’broken’. Youth and the Nation has openly accused Communists of prepetrating this act of violence..."

1937 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 21 February 1937). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.
See above as possible broadcast content: (22 March 1937). The spirit of the America is asleep; Only greater zeal can beat zeal of Reds. Social Justice, p. 16.

1937 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 28 February 1937). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.
See above as possible broadcast content: (22 March 1937). The spirit of the America is asleep; Only greater zeal can beat zeal of Reds. Social Justice, p. 16.

1937 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 7 March 1937). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.
See above as possible broadcast content: (22 March 1937). The spirit of the America is asleep; Only greater zeal can beat zeal of Reds. Social Justice, p. 16.

1937 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 14 March 1937). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.
See above as possible broadcast content: (22 March 1937). The spirit of the America is asleep; Only greater zeal can beat zeal of Reds. Social Justice, p. 16.

1937 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 21 March 1937). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.
See above as possible broadcast content: (22 March 1937). The spirit of the America is asleep; Only greater zeal can beat zeal of Reds. Social Justice, p. 16.

1937 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 28 March 1937). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.
See above as possible broadcast content: (22 March 1937). The spirit of the America is asleep; Only greater zeal can beat zeal of Reds. Social Justice, p. 16.

1937 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 4 April 1937). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.
See above as possible broadcast content: (22 March 1937). The spirit of the America is asleep; Only greater zeal can beat zeal of Reds. Social Justice, p. 16.

1937 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 11 April 1937). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.
See above as possible broadcast content: (22 March 1937). The spirit of the America is asleep; Only greater zeal can beat zeal of Reds. Social Justice, p. 16.

1937 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 18 April 1937). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.
See above as possible broadcast content: (22 March 1937). The spirit of the America is asleep; Only greater zeal can beat zeal of Reds. Social Justice, p. 16.

1937 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 25 April 1937). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.

1937 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 2 May 1937). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.

1937 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 9 May 1937). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.

1937 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 16 May 1937). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.

1937 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 23 May 1937). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.

1937 - radio broadcast - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 30 May 1937). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.

1937 - radio broadcast(s) - Blackburn, Johnson, Toledo

(possibly 6 June 1937 and later). Youth and the Nation broadcast, WSPD at Toledo, Ohio, presumably 1PM.

No surviving documentation known at this juncture.

c. 1937 - possible radio broadcasts - Blackburn, Detroit

(c. 1937). Possible radio broadcasts by Alan Blackburn, "Youth and the Nation", WJR, Detroit.

See Daily Worker article on 7 June 1937 for mention in the article.

1938 - JOHNSON TIMELINE

See the listings

With the winter of 1937-1938 and his parents in Pinehurst, Philip returned to Cleveland... He threw a series of parties for the wealthy younger Cleveland set and took an actor from the Cleveland Playhouse as a lover... it sounds like he essentially burned out on Ohio, and with Blackburn married in November, Johnson felt his only place was New York. (See Schulze, 1994, p. 131, source likely was an interview of Johnson.)

Johnson connected, or re-connected with Lawrence Dennis in the spring of 1938, where unknown or via letters. (See Schulze, 1994, pp. 132-33, source seems an interview of Johnson.)

Johnson met with Ulrich von Gienanth, an official at the German Embassy in Washington [presumably in Washington] presumably for contacts in Germany, introduced by Lawrence Dennis. He apparently wanted to attend the Nazi party event in Nuremberg. (See Schulze, 1994, pp. 132-33, source seems an interview of Johnson.)

[In 1938] As soon as the weather was warm, he was en route to Germany... and he attended the Nazi event in Nuremberg. (See Schulze, 1994, p. 132-33, source seems an interview of Johnson.)

We know little more of his life in the fall and winter of 1938-1939, following his return to New York... (See Schulze, 1994, p. 132-33, source seems an interview of Johnson.)

Schulze reviewed. As we see, very little in terms of contacts and activities put forth at this juncture. More in Lamster.

Kristallnacht occurred in Germany on 9-10 November 1938. Where was Philip?

Listen to Father Coughlin’s chilling response to Kristallnacht, broadcast on his radio program [starts at 24:40], in which he blamed the Jews for it.

Filmmaker and actress Leni Riefenstahl arrived in New York from Germany days earlier, was in New York, Washington and Cleveland. An aspiring Nazi likely would want to meet her and like-minded people. Where was Philip?

1939 - spotlighted article - pro-Nazi article by Johnson

Johnson, Philip (Paris, France). (24 July 1939). Aliens reduce France to an ’English colony’. [SCAN through the pdf to see some shocking anti-Semitism.] Social Justice, p. 4. (Viewed 1 July 2024. S01403).

"... Lack of leadership and direction in the State has let one group get control who always gain power in a nation’s time of weakness— the Jews..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - University of Detroit Mercy library, Detroit.

1939 - spotlighted article - pro-Nazi article by Johnson

Johnson, Philip (Danzig, Poland). (11 September 1939). Poland’s choice between war and Bolshevism is a ’deal’ with Germany. [SCAN through the pdf to see some shocking anti-Semitism.] Social Justice, p. 4. (Viewed 1 July 2024. S01402).

Online - University of Detroit Mercy library, Detroit.

1939 - spotlighted article - pro-Nazi article by Johnson

Johnson, Philip. (6 November 1939). This "sitdown" war; Heavy engagements of the fortnight have been on economic and moral front. [SCAN through the pdf to see some shocking anti-Semitism.] Social Justice, p. 9. (Viewed 1 July 2024. S01404).

"... Germany also talks peace, which is a good offensive among the neutrals of Europe. It only fails of its object in the British Empire and in her crown colony, the U. S. A. ..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - University of Detroit Mercy library, Detroit.

1939 - spotlighted article - pro-Nazi article by Johnson

Johnson, Philip. (6 November 1939). War and the press; Propagandists who fight with lies always lose when truth attacks. [SCAN through the pdf to see some shocking anti-Semitism.] Social Justice, p 12. (Viewed 1 July 2024. S01404).

Online - University of Detroit Mercy library, Detroit.

1940s

The Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha, Queen Victoria’s grandson, Head of Red Cross, and ally to Hitler was touring the US in March / April 1940, with stops and various events in New York, Washington, and Cleveland. He stayed with decadent socialite Mrs. Lawrence Lanier-Winslow in Cleveland, pal of gay Cleveland Press columnist Winsor French. Where was Philip?

1940 - spotlighted FBI document

(23 May 1940). Memorandum for Mr. E. A. Tamm [presumably Edgar Allen Tamm, (Special) Assistant to J. Edgar Hoover; regarding Philip Johnson; from A. Rosen], 2 pp. Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC. [FBI file - Philip Johnson, document no. 100-32734-X]. (Viewed 4 July 2024. S01414).

"... Victor Taylor, Attorney in the Anti-Trust Division, was referred to me from the Director’s office. He had with him one [REDACTED] who had some information concerning a Philip Johnson, who is alleged to be engaged in certain Nazi activities in New York City..." (Excerpt from above.)

NOTE: This is WILDLY interesting, "in the Anti-Trust Division". That division focused on industry and a number of activities and investigations focused on industry regarding trading to elements in Nazi Germany. An unidentified informant put this forward to an attorney in this division.

Online - archive.org.

1940 - spotlighted article mention

Kramer, Dale. (1 June 1940). The American fascists [with mentions of Philip Johnson]. Harper’s Magazine, pp. 380-93. (29 May 2024. S00642).

"... the fascist intellectuals, a small but relatively active band... Lawrence Dennis... Philip Johnson... Alan Blackburn... Huey Long... Father Coughlin... Just now Dennis and Johnson have rented office space from which they expect to publish a magazine in line with their views... Friedrich Auhagen... " (p. 391), (Excerpt from above.)

Search worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

Anonymous Communication, Cleveland, Ohio. (1 June 1940). Letter to J. Edgar Hoover, FBI, Washington, DC. [FBI file - Philip Johnson, document no. 100-32734-X] (Online - archive.org). Referring to Lamster, I don’t see mention of any summer 1940 trip. The next step would be to pull Johnson’s travel record from ancestry.com for c. 1930-1942. When one looks critically, we don’t know where Johnson is exactly most of the time.

While Philip Johnson had a pro-Nazi track record and was still going, his later post-WWII art / design colleague Emily Hall Tremaine (previously Spreckels) was fighting back in California. Click the photo above to see the crazy media coverage of the "He’s a Nazi, no SHE is" divorce case reported all over America into the 1940 presidential election— and keep an eye out for her colleague, Jewish-American war hero, head of US Naval Intelligence for the southern California area, Ellis M. Zacharias.

1940 - spotlighted article mention

Thompson, Dorothy. (23 October 1940). On the record; Dr. Auhagen [with mention of Philip Johnson]. New York Tribune, p. 23A. (Viewed 9 July 2024. S01420)

"... Dr. Friedrich Ernst Auhagen, who was picked up by Federal agents on the West Coast as he was about to embark for Japan... He and his organization, "The American Fellowship Forum", have conducted the most subtle and intelligent campaign to influence and direct American public opinion and American policy...

To this end it has organized branches in a number of cities. In April, according to its own literature, it was represented by branches in New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Springfield, Mass., Cleveland, Chicago, and La Salle, Ill. ... Dr. Auhagen’s leading braintrusters were Philip Johnson and Lawrence Dennis, both Harvard men and both brilliant...

The American Fellowship Forum has published irregularly a small magazine called ’Today’s Challenge’. So far as I know, only three issues appeared. All contained articles by Dr. Auhagen, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Dennis..." (Excerpt from above.)

Search worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - spotlighted article mention

(21 November 1940). Text of Secretary Ickes’ Camden speech warning of fifth columnists [with mention of Philip Johnson and Lawrence Dennis]. Courier-Post (Camden, New Jersey), p. 4. (Viewed 28 June 2024. S00638).

"... described as follows by Miss Dorothy Thompson: ’Dr. Auhagen’s leading brain-trusters were Philip Johnson and Lawrence Dennis, both Harvard men and both brilliant’ ..." (Excerpt from above.)

Search worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - spotlighted article mention

(22 November 1940). Dies agents; Will hunt spy data on Nazis, Reds; German Consul named in "white paper" [with mention of Philip Johnson]. Daily Boston Globe, pp. 1, 4. (Viewed 29 June 2024. S00639).

"... Last night [Rudolf] Mangold, a former commander of the German War Veterans Association of that city, recently disbanded, told the Globe no meetings had been held in that area since last January, when 150 persons attended a mass meeting of the Forum at Turn-verein headquarters at which Dr. Frederic E. F. Auhagen of New York and a man named Philip Johnson were speakers..." (Excerpt from above.)

Search worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - spotlighted article - related

(Washington, Nov. 21). (22 November 1940). Dies agents making raids in eight cities; widespread roundup of evidence follows white paper on alien activity; German embassy silent on charges. New York Herald Tribune, pp. 1, 9. (Viewed 28 June 2024. S00640).

Search worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - spotlighted article mention

AP (Springfield, Mass., Nov. 21). (22 November 1940). Ignorant of Forum’s ties [with mention of Auhagen and Philip Johnson]. New York Herald Tribune, p. 9. (Viewed 28 June 2024. S00640).

"... The Dies committee reported that a branch of the American Fellowship Forum, organized by Dr. Frederic E. F. Auhagen of New York, to keep the United States from participating in the war, had been established in Springfield, and named Mr. Mangold and Otto Bumiller as directing an organization meeting.

Mr. Mangold said he was introduced to Dr. Auhagen and a Philip Johnson when they came to address a mass meeting..." (Excerpt from above.)

Search worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - spotlighted article mention

Pearson, Drew and Allen, Robert S. (30 December 1940). Washington merry-go-round [with mention of Philip Johnson]. Wilmington Press (Wilmington, California), p. 8. (Viewed 26 June 2024. S013

"... [Secretary] Ickes charged that the two ’braintrusters’ behind Dr. Frederic Auhagen, smooth-talking chief of the Nazi-controlled Fellowship forum, were [Lawrence] Dennis and Philip Johnson, Harvard-school former aid of Father Coughlin..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - California Digital Newspaper Collection.

1940 - other intelligence documents

See the docs

1940 - FBI document

(1 June 1940). Letter to J. Edgar Hoover, FBI, Washington, DC. [from Anonymous source, Cleveland, Ohio.] Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC. (Spotlighted above). One-page letter, envelope and forwarding letter by Hoover to Special Agent in Charge in Cleveland. [FBI file - Philip Johnson, document nos. 100-32734-X; 100-32734-XI]. (Viewed 4 July 2024. S01415).

"... When Germany conquered Norway [Johnson] jumped up and down saying, ’Hurrah, hurrah for the Nazis. We won’... [unconfirmed quote and source unspecified]... I just learned [from unspecified source] that he intends going to Germany around June 1st... " [Note: I’ve yet to see note or documentation that Johnson went to Germany in the summer of 1940]. (Excerpt from above.)

Online - archive.org.

1940 - FBI documents, New York office

(before 20 September 1940). New York files #65-2283; #65-3815; #65-3927; #62-6772 (presumably additional content than shown in linked document). In: (20 September 1940). Memorandum for the Special Agent in Charge [presumably New York, NY] from Claude Bass [presumably], Special Agent, New York, NY, re. Philip Johnson; Bruce Simmons, interior decorator, informant. 8 pp. Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC. [FBI file - Philip Johnson, document no. 100-327-X2; another code CB; JPM 62-6772, New York FBI office]. (Viewed 5 July 2024. S01440; not yet reviewed).

"... New York File #65-2283 states that PHILIP JOHNSON is a Social Justice writer, pro-Nazi and pro-Fascist. New York File #65-3815, bulk, sets out information by MISS MARIE MITCHELL that PHILIP JOHNSON is an artist connected with the Communist group. New York File #65-3927 sets out information by LIEUT. CARSELLA of the O.N.I. [Office of Naval Intelligence] to the effect that PHILIP JOHNSON is a Pro-Nazi suspected of being a spy... " (Excerpt from above.)

Online - archive.org.

1940 - FBI document

(20 September 1940). Memorandum for the Special Agent in Charge [presumably New York, NY] from Claude Bass [presumably], Special Agent, New York, NY, re. Philip Johnson; Bruce Simmons, interior decorator, informant. 8 pp. Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC. [FBI file - Philip Johnson, document no. 100-327-X2; another code CB; JPM 62-6772, New York FBI office]. (Viewed 5 July 2024. S01440).

> Among several things, Simmons states that Johnson is friends with Nelson Rockefeller and E. M. Warburg; that Johnson was applying for a post in the U. S. Naval Reserve; and Simmons is willing to spy on Johnson further if requested.

Online - archive.org.

1940 - other articles

See the articles

1940 - article mention

Thompson, Dorothy (New York Tribune). (23 October 1940). Dr. Auhagen [with mention of Philip Johnson]. Daily Boston Globe, p. 14. (Viewed 26 June 2024. S00641).

Search worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - article mention

Thompson, Dorothy (New York Tribune). (23 October 1940). On the record; Dr. Auhagen [with mention of Philip Johnson]. The Globe and Mail (Toronto, ON, Canada). p. 6. (Viewed 9 July 2024. S01419).

Search worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - article mention

Thompson, Dorothy (New York Tribune). (23 October 1940). On the record; Dr. Auhagen [with mention of Philip Johnson]. The Washington Post, p. 11. (Viewed 9 July 2024. S01421)

Search worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - article mention

Thompson, Dorothy (New York Tribune). (24 October 1940). On the record; Dr. Auhagen [with mention of Philip Johnson]. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, p. 8. (Viewed 9 July 2024. S01422)

Search worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - article mention

Thompson, Dorothy (New York Tribune). (25 October 1940). Subversive plot charged to Germans; Miss Thompson says Dies has been told about flagrant case [with mention of Philip Johnson]. Oakland Tribune (California), pp. 26, 27. (Viewed 26 June 2024. S01391).

Online - California Digital Newspaper Collection.

1940 - article mention

Thompson, Dorothy (New York Tribune). (26 October 1940). On the record: Dr. Auhagen [with mention of Philip Johnson]. The San Bernardino Daily Sun (California), p. 20. (Viewed 26 June 2024. S01390).

Online - California Digital Newspaper Collection.

1940 - article mention

Thompson, Dorothy (New York Tribune). (27 October 1940). Dr. Auhagen [with mention of Philip Johnson]. The Atlanta Constitution, Editorial and Magazine section, p. 8. (Viewed 9 July 2024. S01423).

Search worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - article mention

(Washington, November 27). (28 November 1940). 2000 espias rojos trabajan en las oficinas del gobierno [in English, "2000 red spies work in government offices"; with mention of Philip Johnson and Lawrence Dennis]. La opinión (Los Angeles, California), p. 5. (Viewed 29 June 2024. S00139 ).

Online - Chronicling America.

1940 - article mention

Pearson, Drew and Allen, Robert S. (30 December 1940). Washington merry-go-round [with mention of Philip Johnson]. Waterbury Democrat (Connecticut), p. 8. (Viewed 28 June 2024. S01395).

Online - Chronicling America.

1940 - article mention

Pearson, Drew and Allen, Robert S. (31 December 1940). Washington merry-go-round [with mention of Philip Johnson]. The San Bernardino Daily Sun (California), pp. 11, 19. (Viewed 26 June 2024. S01389).

Online - California Digital Newspaper Collection.

1940 - book mention

Britt, George. (1940). The fifth column is here [with mention of Philip Johnson’s pro-Nazi support and his associates Auhagen, Father Coughlin, Vierick and Lawrence Dennis as well as publications Social Justice and Today’s Challenge that Johnson published articles in]. Wilfred Funk, Inc.: New York. (Viewed 1 July 2024. S014 ).

"... Social Justice has leaned toward Hitler with a warm partiality. When the war started and articles from Europe were needed, the magazine turned to Philip Johnson then traveling as the foreign correspondent for Today’s Challenge edited by the Nazi, Auhagen..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - archive.org.

Breed, P. M., Boston, MA. (9 July 1941). Report: Philip Cortelyan Johnson. Internal Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation. [FBI file - Philip Johnson, document no. 100-32734-1]. (Online - archive.org).

Riddle, E. R., Boston, MA. (2 October 1941). Report: Philip Cortelyan Johnson. Internal Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation. [FBI file - Philip Johnson, document no. 100-32734-3]. (Online - archive.org).

1942 - article mention

Franken, Jerry. (27 April 1942). Heard and overheard [with mention of Philip Johnson]. PM Daily (New York, NY), p. 23. (Viewed 29 May 2024. S01122).

"Pearson and Allen had a little news for Charles E. Coughlin last night (WJZ 6:30).

Pearson: ’Catholic friends of Father Coughlin have discreetly sounded out the Dept. of Justice about dropping the case against him if he publicly admitted the error of his ways and promised to confine himself to church activities.’

Allen: ’But the Dept. of Justice is doing this; next week Father Coughlin himself is being summoned before the Grand Jury and will be cross-examined regarding two of his mysterious associates, Philip Johnson and Alan Blackburn." ..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - fultonhistory.com. (Search "New York NY PM Daily 1942 - 1780".)

1942 - spotlighted article mention

Stokes, Dillard. (12 May 1942). In Grand Jury’s hands; Biddle spikes rumor of plan to let Coughlin case slide [with mention of Philip Johnson]. Washington Post, pp. 1, 4. (Viewed 9 July 2024. S01433).

"... Called to testify tomorrow are Dr. Walton Cole, BoBston [sic], and Philip Johnson and Edward Kinsky of New York. The New York men were described as former employes of Social Justice.

Calling of these witnesses from the East suggested that the investigators are ready that the investigators are ready to move on from the operation in Royal Oak to its extensions in other cities." (Excerpt from above.)

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Presumably Irwin, G. B., Cleveland, Ohio. (presumably 25 May 1942). Report: Philip Johnson. Internal Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation. [FBI file - Philip Johnson, document no. 100-32734-24]. (Online - archive.org).

1942 - PJ’s secretary speaks to FBI

(19 September 1942). Ruth Merrill, regarding Philip Johnson, as reported by Kenneth M. Bierly in New York City. Character of case: Internal security. Federal Bureau of Investigation (NY file no. 100-6004 ITN). (Viewed 4 December 2023.)

"Miss Ruth Merrill, Secretary to subject [Philip Johnson] from 1933 to 1934, stated that about 300 names appeared in list of subject’s Gray Shirts Organization although only about 15 to 20 persons actually attended Gray Shirt meetings. She recalls that JOHNSON wanted to be the ’Hitler’ in this country... " (Excerpt from above, p. 188, at archive.org.)

Note: It is BEST PRACTICE to secure a copy of Johnson’s declassified FBI file DIRECTLY from the source, the FBI, via an FOIA request.
Online - archive.org. (see p. 118, and note there are many unconfirmed allegations.)
Online (Johnson FBI file, pt. 1) - scribd.com.
Online (Johnson FBI file, pt. 2) - scribd.com.

(9 January 1945). Letter: Loane J. Randall, Office of the Legal Attache, to Director, FBI re: Private Philip C. Johnson. [FBI file - Philip Johnson, document no. 100-3734-40]. (Online - archive.org).

1946 - spotlighted article mention

Pearson, Drew. (25 October 1946). Drew Pearson [with mention of Philip Johnson’s pro-Nazi, pro-fascist support]. Daily News (Los Angeles), p. 40. (Viewed 8 December 2023. S00645).

"... Rogge says: ’At one time Dennis, Palmer and Philip Johnson were contemplating some sort of publication of their own... ’ ..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - California Digital Newspaper Collection.

1946 - other articles

See the articles

1946 - article mention

Pearson, Drew. (25 October 1946). Washington merry-go-round [with mention of Philip Johnson’s pro-Nazi, pro-fascist support]. Chico Record (Chico, California), p. 2. (Viewed 27 June 2024. S01393).

Online - California Digital Newspaper Collection.

1946 - article mention

Pearson, Drew. (25 October 1946). Washington merry-go-round [with mention of Philip Johnson’s pro-Nazi, pro-fascist support]. Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, California), presumably p. 14. (Viewed 8 December 2023. S00646).

Online - California Digital Newspaper Collection.

1946 - article mention

Pearson, Drew. (25 October 1946). Washington merry-go-round; Pearson reveals how Nazis used magazine [with mention of Philip Johnson’s pro-Nazi, pro-fascist support]. Tulare Advance Register (Tulare, California), p. 6. (Viewed 8 December 2023. S00647).

Online - California Digital Newspaper Collection.

1946 - article mention

Pearson, Drew. (25 October 1946). Washington merry-go-round; U. S. fooled by propaganda [with mention of Philip Johnson’s pro-Nazi, pro-fascist support]. San Bernardino Sun (California), presumably p. 28. (Viewed 8 December 2023. S00648).

Online - California Digital Newspaper Collection.

1946 - article mention

Pearson, Drew. (28 October 1946). Washington merry-go-round [with mention of Philip Johnson’s pro-Nazi, pro-fascist support]. McComb Enterprise-Journal (McComb, Mississippi), pp. 2, 6. (Viewed 28 June 2024. S01384).

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1946 - article mention

Pearson, Drew. (29 October 1946). Washington merry-go-round; How Nazis fooled some U. S. citizens; propaganda spread as war neared [with mention of Philip Johnson’s pro-Nazi, pro-fascist support]. Honolulu Star-Bulletin, p. 6. (Viewed 28 June 2024. S01383).

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1946 - spotlighted book mention

Hoke, Henry. (1946). It’s a secret [with mentions of Philip Johnson, pp. 29, 32, 121-22]. Reynal & Hitchcock: New York. (Viewed 3 July 2024. S01413).

"The parade of characters questioned, investigated or consulted by the Federal Grand Juries investigating seditious activity in the United States... May 1 through May 14 [1942]: Philip Cortelyou Johnson... The parade continues after October 26, 1943: ... Philip Johnson; friend of Lawrence Dennis— traveled in Europe for Coughlin..." (pp. 17, 29, 32; apparently, at least at that time, grand jury transcripts were secret due to the content put forth at times being speculative).

"... witness after witness filed into the Grand Jury room. Each of these witnesses in some way was connected with the Reverend Charles E. Coughlin... Philip Johnson, German ’foreign correspondent’ for Social Justice and disciple of the intellectual Fascist Lawrence Dennis... " [Interestingly, I don’t see Alan Blackburn mentioned. The footnote states that Johnson said he "dissociated himself from the pro-Fascist movement and that he was to be a witness for the government in the sedition trial..."] (pp. 121-22). (Excerpts from above.)

Online - archive.org. (Emailed-based registration required.)

1960s

1961 - book mentions

Rogge, O. John. (1961). The Official German Report [with mention of Philip Johnson in relation to Lawrence Dennis], pp. 185, 346. Thomas Yoseloff, publisher. (Also search Lawrence Dennis.) (Viewed 9 December 2023. S00652).

[Rogge:] "The book presents the material in my report of September 1946 to the Department of Justice..." (Excerpt from author’s note.) (Excerpt from above.)

Online - archive.org.

(11 April 1963). Special inquiry - White House, from W. V. Cleveland to Mr. Evans. United States Government Memorandum. (Online - archive.org).

(4 September 1964). Philip Cortelyou Johnson. Office of the Director, United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington, DC. (Online - archive.org).

1990s

1993 - spotlighted news brief

Associated Press (New York). (5 May 1993). Architect goes public with private life [regarding Philip Johnson and mention of his Nazi past]. Boston Globe, presumably p. 75. (Viewed 24 July 2024. S01507).

"With a biography due out next year, architect Philip Johnson is going public with some private matters— his homosexuality and his past as a disciple of Hitler-style fascism.

’Sex and Nazis can do quite well,’ the 86-year-old architect told the magazine Vanity Fair in an interview published in the June issue. He spoke in part to promote the biography by Franz Schulze... " (Excerpt from above.)

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1993 - other articles

See the articles

1993 - news brief mention

(5 May 1993). Briefly... ["... Architect Philip Johnson tells Vanity Fair he once admired the Nazis and would have been tempted to do work for Hitler"]. USA Today, presumably p. 2D. (Viewed 23 July 2024. S01506).

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1993 - article mention

Levins, Harry (compiled by). (6 May 1993). People [with mention of Philip Johnson’s Nazi past]. St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Missouri), p. 4A. (Viewed 24 July 2024. S01505).

"... ’Sex and Nazis can do quite well,’ says architect PHILIP JOHNSON, 86. He’s hoping so, because his autobiography will talk about his homosexuality and his past as a fan of fascism..." (Excerpt from above.)

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1993 - news brief

Los Angeles Daily News (Los Angeles). (7 May 1993). Sex and Nazis is a selling point [regarding Philip Johnson and mention of his Nazi past]. The Vancouver Sun (BC, Canada), p. C6. (Viewed 24 July 2024. S01502).

"In a preview of his first full-scale biography, the great modern architect Philip Johnson has gone public on his homosexuality and prewar sympathies for the Nazis..." (Excerpt from above.)

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1993 - article mention

(11 May 1993). No 150: Philip Johnson [with mention of his Nazi past]. The Guardian (London, England), p. A3. (Viewed 24 July 2024. S01501).

"... Still in the news: First architect to tell Vanity Fair about his past as a gay Nazi..." (Excerpt from above.)

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1993 - article mention

Warren, James. (13 May 1993). Designing man: Vanity Fair paints Philip Johnson as a better self-promoter than architect [with mention of Johnson’s Nazi past]. Chicago Tribune. p. C2. (Viewed 24 July 2024. S01500).

"... America’s most prominent architect... is profiled by Kurt Andersen in an effort that gives great prominence to disclosures of his homosexuality and onetime Nazi sympathies found in an upcoming Johnson biography written by Chicago professor Franz Schulze..." (Excerpt from above.)

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1993 - article mention

Julian, Robert and Outland, Orland. (20 May 1993). OutThere; the annals of queerdom [with mention of Philip Johnson and his Nazi past]. Bay Area Reporter (presumably San Francisco, CA), p. 34. (Viewed 9 July 2024. S01453).

"... Speak of the devil: in June Vanity Fair, architectural chameleon of the 20th Century, Philip Johnson finally comes out of the closet at age 86. He not only acknowledges his lover of 33 years, David Whitney, but he also confesses his fascist past... " (Excerpt from above.)

Online - California Digital Newspaper Collection.

1993 - news brief

(15 June 1993). Designing Nazis [regarding Philip Johnson admitting he is gay and his Nazi support past]. The Advocate (gay newspaper) (Los Angeles), p. 17. (Viewed 24 July 2024. S01504).

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1994 - spotlighted critical biography

Schulze, Franz. (1994). Philip Johnson: Life and work. Alfred A. Knopf (Viewed 4 December 2023. S00594).

"Philip, remembering the Potsdam rally at which he found himself transfixed by the Nazi spectacle and transported by the charisma of Hitler, saw a [national resurgence], an amazing restoration of confidence among the German people... " (Excerpt from above, p. 106.)

Online - archive.org. (Email-based registration required.)

1994 - spotlighted book review mention

Freedman, Adele. (10 December 1994). Philip Johnson looms large in new books on architecture [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. The Globe and Mail (Toronto, Canada), p. C16. (Viewed 8 December 2023. S00630).

"... Johnson’s foray into fascism in the thirties is also thoroughly explored, along with his success at living it down... [In 1929] Johnson attended his first Nazi rally, excited by the sight of ’all those blond boys in black leather,’ as he later put it... " (Excerpt from above.)

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1994 - book review mention

Goldberger, Paul. (27 November 1994). The man in the glass house [review of Franz Schulze’s biography on Philip Johnson, with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. New York Times. (Viewed 30 December 2023. S00854).

"... The book deals at great length with the architect’s ghastly political escapades in the 1930’s, when he attempted to form a right-wing political party and flirted with the politics of Hitler, Huey Long and Father Coughlin..." (Excerpt from above.)

1995 - book review

Kramer, Hilton. (September 1995). Philip Johnson’s brilliant career [book review of Franz Schulze’s biography on Philip Johnson; with detail of Johnson’s pro-Nazi past]. Commentary magazine. (Viewed 6 July 2024. S01442).

"... There is no other way to put it: Johnson fell in love with the Nazi regime..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Commentary magazine.

See photo of Philip Johnson at his 90th birthday party with... friends, a who’s who of the architectural world, in 1996. (Viewed 4 December 2023. S00591).

1996 - article - 90th birthday party (background context)

Morris, Bob. (9 June 1996). Happy birthday, inevitably [about 90th birthday party for Philip Johnson at MoMA]. New York Times. (Viewed 4 December 2023. S0059 ).

Online - New York Times.

2000s

2005 - spotlighted obituary

Kimball, Roger. (26 January 2005). Philip Johnson, 1906-2005 [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. The New Criterion. (Viewed 2 December 2023. S00558).

"... Johnson’s craving for publicity has assured that the general outlines of his life are well known... Naval intelligence and the FBI put together extensive dossiers on Johnson’s activities, which, when he was drafted later in the war, prevented him from getting a number of preferred jobs. Still, all things considered, it is extraordinary how little Johnson’s political activities hindered his career..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - The New Criterion.

2005 - spotlighted article

(28 January 2005). The architect who flirted with fascism; Philip Johnson, who died this week at the age of 98, might be acknowledged as one of the most influential architects of the 20th century, but he never quite lived down his reputation as a Nazi sympathizer. Deutsche Welle (Berlin, Germany). (Viewed 2 December 2023. S00564).

"... ’We forgave, but we didn’t forget,’ Gehry was quoted Wednesday. ’He was so powerful a force for the good in our profession that it overwhelmed all negatives.’ ..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Deutsche Welle.

2005 - spotlighted op-ed

Stevens, Mark. (31 January 2005). Form follows fascism [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. New York Times. (Viewed 30 November 2023. S00540).

"... As late as 1940, Mr. Johnson was defending Hitler to the American public. It seems that only an inquiry by the Federal Bureau of Investigation— and, presumably, the prospect of being labeled a traitor if America entered the war— led him to withdraw completely from politics.

Philip Johnson now seems like an emblematic figure partly because he appears to have been happily, marvelous, provocatively, disturbingly hollow ..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - New York Times.

2005 - spotlighted article

Applebaum, Anne. (2 February 2005). "Remembering" Philip Johnson. Washington Post, p. A23. (Viewed 3 December 2023. S00581).

"... We may think we believe any affilation with Nazism is wrong, but as a society, our actual definition of ’collaboration’ is in fact quite slippery.

In the end, I suspect the explanation is simple: People whose gifts lie in esoteric fields get a pass that others don’t. Or, to put it differently, if you use crude language and wear a swastika, you’re a pariah. But if you make up a complex, witty persona, use irony and jokes to brush off hard questions, and construct an elaborate philosophy to obfuscate your past, then you’re an elder statesman, a trendsetter, a provocateur and— most tantalizingly— an enigma." (Excerpt from above.)

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2005 - other articles

See the articles

2005 - article mention

(27 January 2005). Pre-eminent architect; Philip Johnson: 1906-2005; Johnson: Theories, practice altered course of U. S. design [with mention of his pro-Nazi past]. Atlanta Journal-Constitution, pp. F1, F3. (Viewed 6 July 2024. S01323).

"... Even revelations of questionable political activities during the ’30s— he was involved with Huey Long and Father Coughlin and exhibited Nazi sympathies— didn’t do him much harm. His past didn’t even present a major commission in Israel..." (Excerpt from above.)

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2005 - article

Burke, Heather. (27 January 2005). Obituaries; Philip Johnson; A titan of American architecture [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi past]. National Post (Toronto, ON, Canada), p. AL9. (Viewed 6 July 2024. S01322).

"... Fascism led Johnson from architecture to politics in the mid-1930s. He was impressed by Adolph Hitler’s improvement of the German economy and founded a political party [somewhat] based on the Nazis..." (Excerpt from above.)

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2005 - article mention

Campbell, Robert. (27 January 2005). Obituaries; Philip Johnson, 98, ever-evolving dean of architects [with mention of Johnson’s Nazi past]. The Boston Globe, p. B11. (Viewed 9 July 2024. S01325).

"... He attended a Nazi rally near Berlin, where he was enthralled by Adolf Hitler and— as he told a biographer long afterwards— ’all those blond boys in black leather’... " (Excerpt from above.)

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2005 - article

Forgey, Banjamin. (27 January 2005). An architect on many levels; Philip Johnson, blueprinter of change. Washington Post, p. C01. (Viewed 13 May 2024. S00582).

"... Among the worst things that Johnson did was to accept a Nazi invitation to travel to the Polish front with the Wehrmacht in 1939 so that he could write a series of apologistic, anti-Semitic reports for one of Father Coughlin’s journals..." (Excerpt from above.)

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2005 - article

Hine, Thomas and Saffron, Inga. (27 January 2005). Trend-setting architect Philip Johnson dead at 98. Philadelphia Inquirer, pp. 1, 12. (Viewed 13 May 2024. S01101).

"... Mr. Johnson was controversial not just for switching styles, but for his flirtation with fascist politics..." (Excerpt from above.)

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2005 - article mention

(28 January 2005). Philip Johnson; Authoritative elder statesman of US architecture whose designs moved from modernist minimalism to capitalist flamboyance [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. The Times (London). (Viewed 9 December 2023. S00653).

"PHILIP JOHNSON was an unlikely figure to be the godfather of contemporary American architecture... was as famous for his high cultural disdain for the masses and his flirtation with Nazism as for the buildings that he designed...

Occasionally the publicity could backfire, however: a 1993 BBC documentary showed Johnson sipping wine in the Four Seasons and talking of his political past to the loud accompaniment of an excerpt from Götterdämmerung..." (Excerpt from above.)

2005 - article mention

Burke, Heather (Washington Post). (28 January 2005). Dean of U. S. architects dies at age 98; obituary - Philip C. Johnson defined American modernism [with mention of Johnson’s Nazi past]. Vancouver Sun (Canada). (Viewed 9 July 2024. S01326).

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2005 - article mention

Fulford, Robert. (29 January 2005). An enemy of principles [regarding Philip Johnson’s death and mention of his Nazi past]. National Post (Toronto, ON, Canada), p. A22. (Viewed 9 July 2024. S01330).

"... Philip Johnson fell for Nazi ideals, as well as blonde boys in leather...

On Wednesday, The New York Times obit demonstrated how far forgiveness has gone with a misleading allusion to ’his brief involvement in right-wing politics’. Brief? Right-wing? It lasted eight years— and ’right-wing’ had nothing to do with it" (Excerpts from above.)

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2005 - article mention

Nilsen, Richard. (30 January 2005). Philip Johnson’s legacy: Architect was a champion of Postmodernist style [with mention of his previous pro-Nazi support]. Arizona Republic (Phoenix), p. E6. (Viewed 9 July 2024. S01331).

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2005 - article

Reisman, Phil. (30 January 2005). Synagogue’s design blends beauty, apology [with mention of Philip Johnson as the architect, and his Nazi past]. Journal News (presumaly White Plains, NY), pp. 1B, 2B. (Viewed 9 July 2024. S01374).

"... The altruistic gesture seems a paradox, considering Johnson’s dalliance with fascism in the 1930s. He later regretted those extremist views. But more than merely renouncing them, he appeared to put his words into action. Philip Nobel, the architecture writer, noted that ’as if in penance, Johnson made occasional efforts to repair his name among Jews’ and that the free-of-charge design of the KTI synagogue was part of the rehabilitation campaign..." (Excerpt from above.)

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2005 - article

Nossiter, Adam (Associated Press - Baton Rouge, LA). (31 January 2005). Ambitious outsider found Long unwilling to be manipulated [about Philip Johnson, his recent death, his admiration for Huey Long and Adolph Hitler]. The News-Star (Monroe, Louisiana), p. 8A. (Viewed 9 May 2024. S01089).

"... [Johnson] went on to make elaborate apology for his Hitlerian sympathies— and to design legions of landmarks that, in their cold grandiosity, for some critics recalled them nonetheless, to the day he died..." (Excerpt from above.)

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2005 - article

Nossiter, Adam (Associated Press - Baton Rouge, LA). (31 January 2005). Architectural icon meets the Kingfish in ’35 [about Philip Johnson, his recent death, his admiration for Huey Long and Adolph Hitler]. Daily World (Opelousas, Louisiana), p. 4A. (Viewed 9 May 2024. S01088).

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2005 - article

Nossiter, Adam (Associated Press - Baton Rouge, LA). (2 February 2005). Obscure Huey Long link extinguished [about Philip Johnson, his recent death, his admiration for Huey Long and Adolph Hitler]. The Daily Review (Morgan City, Louisiana), p. 4. (Viewed 3 December 2023. S00574).

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2005 - article

Applebaum, Anne (Washington Post). (3 February 2005). Bricks bounce off the glass house [starting in the fourth paragraph, about Philip Johnson, his death, and his pro-Nazi support past]. The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, Tennessee), p. B6. (Viewed 3 December 2023. S00587).

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2005 - article

Applebaum, Anne (Washington Post). (3 February 2005). Cultural sheen obscures fascist ways [starting in the fourth paragraph, about Philip Johnson, his death, and his pro-Nazi support past]. Valley News (West Lebanon, New Hampshire), p. A6. (Viewed 3 December 2023. S00575).

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2005 - article

Applebaum, Anne (Washington Post). (3 February 2005). A prince, an architect and fascism’s escape [starting in the fourth paragraph, about Philip Johnson, his death, and his pro-Nazi support past]. Journal and Courier (Lafayette, Indiana), p. A5. (Viewed 3 December 2023. S00576).

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2005 - article

Applebaum, Anne (Washington Post). (3 February 2005). "Remembering" Philip Johnson [starting in the fourth paragraph, about Philip Johnson, his death, and his pro-Nazi support past]. St. Petersburg Times (Florida), p. 11A. (Viewed 3 December 2023. S00577).

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2005 - article mention

Friedman, Roberto. (3 February 2005). You’re our compensation; Readers, pols, models put out for Out There [with mention of Philip Johnson]. Bay Area Reporter (gay newspaper, San Francisco, CA), p. 26. (Viewed 9 May 2024. S01090).

"... Oh, but there’s so much to throw tantrums over. Queer old coot architect Philip Johnson dies, his Nazi sympathies glossed over... " (Excerpt from above.)

Online - California Digital Newspaper Collection.

2005 - editorial

(4 February 2005). Toast [about the obituaries on Philip Johnson]. Richmond Times-Dispatch (Virginia), p. A14. (Viewed 3 December 2023. S00588).

"... Most of the tributes either breezed by or failed to mention a telling aspect of Johnson’s life. During the Thirties he was a fascist— and not just of the garden-variety... " (Excerpt from above.)

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2005 - article

Applebaum, Anne (Washington Post). (4 February 2005). "Remembering" Philip Johnson’s past [starting in the fourth paragraph, about Philip Johnson, his death, and his pro-Nazi support past]. Daily Hampshire Gazette (Northampton, Massachusetts), p. A6. (Viewed 3 December 2023. S00589).

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2005 - article

Applebaum, Anne (Washington Post). (5 February 2005). Trendsetters get a pass on embracing fascism [starting in the fourth paragraph, about Philip Johnson, his death, and his pro-Nazi support past]. Tallahassee Democrat (Florida), p. 4E. (Viewed 3 December 2023. S00590).

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2005 - letter to editor

Moore, Steven M. (5 February 2005). The Observer forum: "Architect’s Nazism can’t be ignored" ["In response to ’Designs of his time’ (Jan. 29):..."]. The Charlotte Observer (North Carolina), p. 10A. (Viewed 5 December 2023. S00599).

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2005 - article

Applebaum, Anne (Washington Post). (6 February 2005). The art of sympathies with the Nazis [starting in the fourth paragraph, about Philip Johnson, his death, and his pro-Nazi support past]. The News and Observer (Charlotte, North Carolina), p. 29A. (Viewed 5 December 2023. S00598).

"... Asked in 1993, whether he would have built buildings for Adolph Hitler in 1936, he answered, ’Who’s to say? That would have tempted anyone’ ..." (Excerpt from above.)

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2005 - article

Applebaum, Anne (Washington Post). (10 February 2005). Architect got a pass on fascist sympathies [starting in the fourth paragraph, about Philip Johnson, his death, and his pro-Nazi support past]. Richmond Times-Dispatch (Virginia), p. A15. (Viewed 5 December 2023. S00600).

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2005 - article mention

Huxtable, Ada Louise. (10 February 2005). Philip Johnson: Short of attention span, long on aesthetics. Wall Street Journal, p. D10. (Viewed 9 May 2024. S00579).

"Philip Johnson used to say that what he really wanted to be was "l’architecte du roi," the king’s architect. That was after his ideological fling with the Nazis (Hitler already had his architect, Albert Speer), and before he became the architect of choice of big business...

... His infatuation with Nazi Germany was excused publicly as youthful folly..." (Excerpt from above.)

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2005 - article mention

Crosbie, Michael J. (13 February 2005). Style is never enough [about Philip Johnson, his death, and mention of his pro-Nazi support past]. Hartford Courant (Connecticut), p. C4. (Viewed 9 May 2024. S01091).

"... In fact, the love of style over substance was at the heart of Johnson’s fascination with fascism. Johnson’s attraction to Nazism was more a romance than a flirtation, complete with several visits to Germany as the Nazis’ guest. Johnson reveled in the pornographic displays of power at a 1938 Nuremberg rally..." (Excerpt from above.)

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2005 - article mentions

(16 November 2005). On criticism (including interviews of Michael Sorkin; introductory paragraph: "[He took] Philip Johnson to task for his Nazi past..."; and Deyan Sudjic). The Architect’s Newspaper (New York). (Viewed 5 December 2023. S00601).

Question: Have you ever regretted a piece you’ve written?

Sudjic: I certainly regretted some headlines. By far the worst was for my obituary of Philip Johnson for which some bright spark came up with "A Nazi piece of work." There’s no going back from that one! ... "(Excerpt from above.)

Online - The Architect’s Newspaper.

2006 articles

See the articles

2006 - article

Wise, Michael Z. (20 October 2006). Deconstructing Philip [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. Forward website. (Viewed 2 December 2023. S00563).

"When the synagogue that Philip Johnson designed free of charge to atone for his antisemitic past added a canopy over its entry two decades ago, the celebrated architect complained that the vinyl overhang was a blot on his creation... " (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Forward website.

2006 - article mention

Leigh, Catesby. (4 December 2006). Philip Johnson [with mention of his pro-Nazi support]. Washington Examiner. (Viewed 7 December 2023. S00624).

"... Schulze’s account of Johnson’s Nazi activities at the time of the German attack on Poland suggests that this egotist was rather too adept at insulating himself from unpleasant realities..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Washington Examiner.

2007 articles

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2007 - article mention

Eyman, Scott. (13 May 2007). A genius for detail; onetime "Vogue" and "Vanity Fair" editor Leo Lerman’s journals offer an inside look at artists and intellectuals of mid-century America [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. The Palm Beach Post (Florida), p. 4J. (Viewed 7 December 2023. S00554).

"... Mostly, Lerman was a habitual enthusiast, but one of the few people he disliked was the architect Philip Johnson, whom he characterizes as ’mad’ about Israel— the war spirit, the military feeling. This is what made him so partial to the Nazis..." (Excerpt from above.)

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2007 - article mention

Russell, James S. (Bloomberg News). (20 May 2007). Philip Johnson glass house opens to public; Architect embraced many differing styles over his career [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. The Morning Call (Allentown, PA), p. G9. (Viewed 7 December 2023. S00586).

"... Johnson had spent the intervening time... writing approving dispatches from Nazi Germany early in World War II... " (Excerpt from above.)

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2008 - article mention

Campbell, Robert. (17 February 2008). A clear modern vision; Philip Johnson’s house paves way for preservation [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi past]. Boston Sunday Globe, Arts & Entertainment section, p. N7. (Viewed 7 July 2024. S01375).

"... [Johnson] was, after all, a onetime Nazi sympathizer..." (Excerpt from above.)

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2010s

2011 articles

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2011 - article mention

Lamster, Mark. (9 June 2011). Philip Johnson’s synagogue problem [with mention of his pro-Nazi support]. Design Observer website. (Viewed 2 December 2023. S00565).

"In the mid-1950s, Philip Johnson designed a synagogue for Kneses Tifereth Israel, a congregation in suburban Port Chester, New York. Johnson, in the 1930s and early 1940s, had been a proponent of Nazi Germany and a writer of anti-semitic tracts, so the job was presented as a kind of atonement, and completed without fee... " (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Design Observer website.

2011 - article mention

Stoelker, Tom. (6 December 2011). Glass House: New play explores fascistic Modernism [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. The Architect’s Newspaper. (Viewed 7 December 2023. S00623).

"... In a not so subtle manner, the author equates Johnson’s well documented Nazi sympathies of his early years to modernism itself: ’When you have an extreme interest in how things should be to be beautiful, there’s an element of fascism to it, and that can transfer to a home when dishes need to be loaded properly.’ ..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - The Architect’s Newspaper.

2012 - article

Lamster, Mark. (29 February 2012). Philip Johnson (1906-2005) [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. Architectural Review (London). (Viewed 5 December 2023. S00602).

"With Philip Johnson one can hardly speak of the term reputation in the singular; I know of no other architect who has had so many of them, or more contradictory ones...

In his prodigal years of the 1930s, he hoped to apply that power not in the field of architecture, but politics. He left MoMA, in 1934, and became a tireless advocate for a series of loathsome right-wing figures, including Hitler..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Architectural Review website.

2014 - spotlighted article - with FBI report on Philip Johnson

Novak, Matt. (22 April 2014). One of America’s most famous architects was a Nazi propagandist [with embedded FBI file on Philip Johnson]. Paleofuture website. (2 December 2023. S00561).

Online - Paleofuture website.

2014 - spotlighted article - with FBI file on Philip Johnson

Heddaya, Mostafa. (22 April 2014). Philip Johnson’s pro-Nazi sympathies detailed in FBI file [with the FBI file embedded]. Hyperallergic website. (Viewed 2 December 2023. S00560).

"... [the Paleofuture blog] obtained [the FBI file on Philip Johnson] via Freedom of Information Act request. The file, which comprises 171 pages of letters, memoranda, and other documents detailing the architect’s public and private life, reignites the discussion over his controversial Nazi sympathies at a time of intense public interest in the fate of some of his work..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Hyperallergic website.

2014 - other articles

See the articles

2014 - article - with FBI file on Philip Johnson

Novak, Matt. (22 April 2014). One of America’s most famous architects [Philip Johnson] was a Nazi propagandist [with embedded copy of presumably confirmed, declassified FBI report]. Gizmodo. (Viewed 30 November 2023. S00541).

Online - Gizmodo.

2014 - preview news brief

(22 April 2014). Philip Johnson was a Nazi propagandist [preview of: Novak, Matt. (22 April 2014). One of America’s most famous architects was a Nazi propagandist (with embedded FBI file on Philip Johnson). Paleofuture website]. Archinect website. (Viewed 10 July 2024. S01455).

Online - Archinect.

2014 - article

Brussat, David. (23 April 2014). Philip Johnson’s Nazi decade [regarding public release of Johnson’s FBI report put online]. Architecture Here and There website. (Viewed 7 December 2023. S00622).

"... Yes, the renowned Philip Johnson was— shhh!— a Nazi... Bringing it up is the most annoying sort of faux pas..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Architecture Here and There website.

2014 - article

Shukert, Rachel. (23 April 2014). When a famous architect is also an anti-semite; I love Philip Johnson’s buildings not in spite of him, but to spite him [with mention of Johnson’s Nazi past]. Tablet magazine. (Viewed 10 July 2024. S01454).

Online - Tablet magazine.

2015 - article mention

Schwendener, Martha (New York Times News Service). (30 August 2015). Blurring the boundaries between art and design; Lustig Cohen works at Philip Johnson’s New Canaan estate [with mention of Philip Johnson’s Nazi past; general focus concerns Cohen’s art exhibition]. Record-Journal (Meriden, CT), p. C3. (Viewed 13 July 2024. S01377).

"... [Johnson] published articles in right-wing magazines and attended Nazi rallies in Potsdam and Nuremberg before abandoning politics in 1940..." (Excerpt from above.)

Search worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

2016 - spotlighted book mentions

Wortman, Marc. (2016). 1941 Fighting the shadow war; A divided America in a world at war [with mentions of Philip Johnson and his pro-Nazi support throughout the book; photo of Johnson among others on the cover], pp. 409. Grove Press. (Viewed 3 December 2023. S00566).

Chapter 2: A new world; America and Germany, 1939-1940 - "For Philip Johnson, following the German army as it wiped out the last resisters in Poland seemed like he was living within a dream... " (Excerpt from above.)

Online - archive.org.

2016 - spotlighted book excerpt

Wortman, Marc. (4 April 2016). Famed architect Philip Johnson’s hidden Nazi past [adapted excerpt of book]. Vanity Fair magazine. (Viewed 2 December 2023. S00556).

"Philip Johnson was a pedigreed, witty charmer from Cleveland who became a fixture of Manhattan’s art world and social circuit. But before Johnson’s rise to fame as one of America’s most influential architects, he delighted in another rise— that of Hitler and the Third Reich. In his forthcoming book, 1941: Fighting the Shadow War, Marc Wortman explores the architect’s fascination with Nazism." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Vanity Fair.

2016 - other articles

See the articles

2016 - article

(18 April 2016). A new book [by Marc Wortman] explains the architect Philip Johnson’s hidden Nazi past. Metalocus (Madrid, Spain). (Viewed 8 May 2024. S01086).

’... The author claims Johnson took no issue with the Nazi’s treatment of Jews or creators of "degenerate art", even when he helped friends at the Bauhaus flee Germany is understand as "the apparent contradiction in their plight only as a momentary falling back in order to leap that much further ahead. "he saw the apparent contradiction in their plight only as a momentary falling back in order to leap that much further ahead." ...’ (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Metalocus.

2016 - article

McKnight, Jenna. (18 April 2016). Architect Philip Johnson’s Nazi past detailed in new book. Dezeen. (Viewed 2 December 2023. S00559).

"Pritzker Prize-winning architect Philip Johnson was an impassioned supporter of Nazism, in which he found a "new international ideal", according to a new book by American journalist Marc Wortman..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Dezeen website.

2016 - preview news brief

Korody, Nicholas. (19 April 2016). Philip Johnson, the fascist. Archinect. (Viewed 6 July 2024. S01443).

Online - Archinect.

2016 - article

Sisson, Patrick. (19 April 2016). Philip Johnson’s pro-fascist past revisited in new book. Curbed.com. (Viewed 5 December 2023. S00603).

Online - Curbed website.

2016 - article mention

Budds, Diana. (23 June 2016). The dark side of your design heroes [with two paragraphs on Philip Johnson and his pre-WWII support for fascism and Nazism, with photo of Johnson]. Fast Company. (Viewed 6 July 2024. S01448).

"... Johnson was also a Nazi propagandist. Novak— who clearly has a nose for the seedier side of design history— reported (also for Gizmodo) about how the late architect founded fascist organizations, wrote numerous articles for far-right publications, and even traveled with the Nazis through Poland. ’You simply could not fail to be caught up in the excitement of it,’ Johnson once said...." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Fast Company.

2016 - article / book review mention

Moore, Rowan. (24 July 2016). Architecture’s odd couple: Frank Lloyd Wright and Philip Johnson— review; they were rivals who shaped American architecture, but to call them an "odd couple" overstates their relationship. The Guardian (London). (Viewed 13 July 2024. S01469).

"... They both had unfortunate sympathies for Nazi Germany, Johnson more than Wright..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - The Guardian.

2016 - article

Hurowitz, Richard. (26 September 2016). Don’t forget Philip Johnson’s Nazi past; In 1932, as a rising star at the Museum of Modern Art, Johnson attended a Hitler Youth rally at Potsdam. Jerusalem Post. (Viewed 2 December 2023. S00562).

Online - Jerusalem Post.

2016 - article

Ofgang, Erik. (28 November 2016). The hidden Nazi past of famed architect Philip Johnson. CT Insider news website (Connecticut). (Viewed 14 December 2023. S00711).

"... ’He was a fervent and committed Nazi and very possibly a German agent working in the United States on behalf of the fascist government of Germany,’ says Marc Wortman, the New Haven-based author of 1941: Fighting the shadow war— A divided America in a world at war..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - CT Insider website.

2016 - article

Ofgang, Erik. (28 November 2016). The hidden Nazi past of famed architect Philip Johnson. Connecticut Post (Bridgeport, CT). (Viewed 14 December 2023. S00710).

Online - Connecticut Post.

2016 - article

Ofgang, Erik. (28 November 2016). The hidden Nazi past of famed architect Philip Johnson. Greenwich Time newspaper (Greenwich, CT). (Viewed 14 December 2023. S00712).

Online - Greenwich Time.

2016 - article

Ofgang, Erik. (28 November 2016). The hidden Nazi past of famed architect Philip Johnson. The Hour newspaper (Norwalk, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00713).

Online - The Hour.

2016 - article

Ofgang, Erik. (28 November 2016). The hidden Nazi past of famed architect Philip Johnson. Middletown Press (Middletown, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00827).

Online - Middletown Press.

2016 - article

Ofgang, Erik. (28 November 2016). The hidden Nazi past of famed architect Philip Johnson. The Milford Mirror (Milford, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00828).

Online - The Milford Mirror.

2016 - article

Ofgang, Erik. (28 November 2016). The hidden Nazi past of famed architect Philip Johnson. The New Canaan Advertiser (New Canaan, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00829).

Online - The New Canaan Advertiser.

2016 - article

Ofgang, Erik. (28 November 2016). The hidden Nazi past of famed architect Philip Johnson. New Haven Register (New Haven, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00830).

Online - New Haven Register.

2016 - article

Ofgang, Erik. (28 November 2016). The hidden Nazi past of famed architect Philip Johnson. The News-Times (Danbury, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00831).

Online - The News-Times.

2016 - article

Ofgang, Erik. (28 November 2016). The hidden Nazi past of famed architect Philip Johnson. The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00832).

Online - The Register Citizen.

2016 - article

Ofgang, Erik. (28 November 2016). The hidden Nazi past of famed architect Philip Johnson. The Ridgefield Press (Ridgefield, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00833).

Online - The Ridgefield Press.

2016 - article

Ofgang, Erik. (28 November 2016). The hidden Nazi past of famed architect Philip Johnson. Shelton Herald (Shelton, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00834).

Online - Shelton Herald.

2016 - article

Ofgang, Erik. (28 November 2016). The hidden Nazi past of famed architect Philip Johnson. Stamford Advocate (Stamford, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00835).

Online - Stamford Advocate.

2016 - article

Ofgang, Erik. (28 November 2016). The hidden Nazi past of famed architect Philip Johnson. Trumbull Times (Trumbull, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00836).

Online - Trumbull Times.

2016 - article

Ofgang, Erik. (28 November 2016). The hidden Nazi past of famed architect Philip Johnson. Wilton Bulletin (Wilton, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00837).

Online - Wilton Bulletin.

2017 articles

See the articles

2017 - article mention

Tortolano, Jim. (14 April 2017). The glass houses of Philip Johnson [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. Orange County Tribune (California). (Viewed 6 December 2023. S00620).

"... His work carried him to Nazi Germany, where he watched, with approval, a large rally in Nuremberg where Hitler was the chief speaker. In 1939, he went into Germany for the invasion of Poland... " (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Orange County Tribune.

2017 - article mention

Sayer, Jason. (11 August 2017). FBI files, a missing MoMA house, and the life of modernist architect Gregory Ain [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. The Architect’s Newspaper (New York). (Viewed 6 December 2023. S00621).

".. In 1950, Philip Johnson, who the F.B.I. was also monitoring due to his supposed connections to the Nazi Party... " (Excerpt from above.)

Online - The Architect’s Newspaper.

2018 - biography

Lamster, Mark. (2018). The man in the glass house: Philip Johnson, architect of the Modern century. Little, Brown and Company. (Viewed 30 November 2023).

2018 - spotlighted interview of biographer Mark Lamster

Fixsen, Anna. (3 December 2018). The power and paradox of Philip Johnson [interview of Mark Lamster regarding his biography The Man in the Glass House: Philip Johnson, Architect of the Modern Century]. Metropolis. (Viewed 31 May 2024. S01134).

[Fixsen:] ... Do you think he fully believed it?

[Lamster:] Oh, he fully believed it. It wasn’t play. Afterwards he would try and justify it as a sort of youthful indiscretion and a homoerotic affectation. But he was invested. He was invested in the actual eugenic theory, anti-Semitism. He was all-in for the complete bag of Nazi awfulness. This was not an aesthetic attraction, it was a full-bore intellectual agreement..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Metropolis.

2018 - spotlighted interview of Johnson biographer Mark Lamster

Pedersen, Martin C. (24 October 2018). Mark Lamster on his new biography of Philip Johnson [largely regarding his pro-Nazi support]. Common Edge website. (Viewed 30 November 2023. S00545).

Pedersen: "What’s amazing is, Johnson somehow moves past that. Talk about his ability to completely reinvent himself, from probable Nazi spy to the dean of American architecture. It’s just mind boggling."

Lamster: "It is. But he had powerful friends. He had friends who always cared about him. He was smart and opportunistic. And in the post-war years, people didn’t really want to talk about that past. They wanted to move on." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Common Edge website.

2018 - spotlighted book review

Lenfield, Spencer Lee. (November - December 2018). The devil and Philip Johnson; A "star-chitect" as P. T. Barnum [review of Mark Lamster’s book The man in the glass house (2018)]. Harvard Magazine. (Viewed 19 December 2023. S01475).

"... There are two schools of thought on Johnson’s dalliances with the Nazis... One holds that these mistakes pollute everything he ever did or touched, and that Johnson never fully repented; the other, that his merits as designer and architect can be separated from his youthful errors, and his gestures of contrition in later years...

... Influence acknowledged, the further question is whether that influence on architecture was for good or for ill— and whether the history of Johnson’s political beliefs affects that question...

... If we accept that Johnson was an enthusiastic fascist in the 1930s, how should we look at his buildings? ..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Harvard Magazine.

2018 - other articles

See the articles

2018 - article mention

Kahn, Robert. (31 January 2018). Op-ed: Johnson’s AT&T building is influential— but is it good? [With mention of Philip Johnson’s Nazi past]. Architectural Record. (Viewed 13 July 2024. S0146 ).

"... other than its Neoclassicism that, unfortunately, serves as a reminder that Johnson was, for years, an enthusiastic Nazi propagandist..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Architectural Record.

2018 - letter to the editor

Chrostowski, Ed. (5 April 2018). Letter: Philip Johnson was an architect and activist [with mention of his pro-Nazi support]. The Ridgefield Press (Ridgefield, CT). (Viewed 6 December 2023. S00615).

"... None of this, however, obviates his abominable behavior in the years leading to World War II and the Holocaust, when he was an enthusiastic cheerleader for Adolf Hitler and an active supporter of Nazi bigotry and ’master race’ supremacy.

Nor does it excuse his failure to apologize and recant after the war..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - The Ridgefield Press.

2018 - letter to the editor

Chrostowski, Ed (via Ridgefield Press). (5 April 2018). Letter: Philip Johnson was an architect and activist [with mention of his pro-Nazi support]. Connecticut Post (Bridgeport, CT). (Viewed 5 December 2023. S00605).

Online - Connecticut Post.

2018 - letter to the editor

Chrostowski, Ed (via Ridgefield Press). (5 April 2018). Letter: Philip Johnson was an architect and activist [with mention of his pro-Nazi support]. Greenwich Time newspaper (Greenwich, CT). (Viewed 5 December 2023. S00606).

Online - Greenwich Time.

2018 - letter to the editor

Chrostowski, Ed (via Ridgefield Press). (5 April 2018). Letter: Philip Johnson was an architect and activist [with mention of his pro-Nazi support]. The Hour newspaper (Norwalk, CT). (Viewed 5 December 2023. S00607).

Online - The Hour.

2018 - letter to the editor

Chrostowski, Ed (via Ridgefield Press). (5 April 2018). Letter: Philip Johnson was an architect and activist [with mention of his pro-Nazi support]. Middletown Press (Middletown, CT). (Viewed 5 December 2023. S00608).

Online - Middletown Press.

2018 - letter to the editor

Chrostowski, Ed (via Ridgefield Press). (5 April 2018). Letter: Philip Johnson was an architect and activist [with mention of his pro-Nazi support]. The Milford Mirror (Milford, CT). (Viewed 5 December 2023. S00609).

Online - The Milford Mirror.

2018 - letter to the editor

Chrostowski, Ed (via Ridgefield Press). (5 April 2018). Letter: Philip Johnson was an architect and activist [with mention of his pro-Nazi support]. The New Canaan Advertiser (New Canaan, CT). (Viewed 5 December 2023. S00610).

Online - The New Canaan Advertiser.

2018 - letter to the editor

Chrostowski, Ed (via Ridgefield Press). (5 April 2018). Letter: Philip Johnson was an architect and activist [with mention of his pro-Nazi support]. New Haven Register (New Haven, CT). (Viewed 5 December 2023. S00611).

Online - New Haven Register.

2018 - letter to the editor

Chrostowski, Ed (via Ridgefield Press). (5 April 2018). Letter: Philip Johnson was an architect and activist [with mention of his pro-Nazi support]. News-Times (Danbury, Connecticut). (Viewed 5 December 2023. S00604).

Online - News-Times.

2018 - letter to the editor

Chrostowski, Ed (via Ridgefield Press). (5 April 2018). Letter: Philip Johnson was an architect and activist [with mention of his pro-Nazi support]. The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT). (Viewed 6 December 2023. S00614).

Online - The Register Citizen.

2018 - letter to the editor

Chrostowski, Ed (via Ridgefield Press). (5 April 2018). Letter: Philip Johnson was an architect and activist [with mention of his pro-Nazi support]. Shelton Herald (Shelton, CT). (Viewed 6 December 2023. S00616).

Online - Shelton Herald.

2018 - letter to the editor

Chrostowski, Ed (via Ridgefield Press). (5 April 2018). Letter: Philip Johnson was an architect and activist [with mention of his pro-Nazi support]. Stamford Advocate (Stamford, CT). (Viewed 6 December 2023. S00617).

Online - Stamford Advocate.

2018 - letter to the editor

Chrostowski, Ed (via Ridgefield Press). (5 April 2018). Letter: Philip Johnson was an architect and activist [with mention of his pro-Nazi support]. Trumbull Times (Trumbull, CT). (Viewed 6 December 2023. S00618).

Online - Trumbull Times.

2018 - letter to the editor

Chrostowski, Ed (via Ridgefield Press). (5 April 2018). Letter: Philip Johnson was an architect and activist [with mention of his pro-Nazi support]. Wilton Bulletin (Wilton, CT). (Viewed 6 December 2023. S00619).

Online - Wilton Bulletin.

2018 - article mention

Morris, Susan. (8 June 2018). Gerard & Kelly: CLOCKWORK at Pioneer Works [art exhibition; with mention of Philip Johnson’s Nazi past]. Architect’s Newspaper. (Viewed 13 July 2024. S01471).

"... The centerpiece of the exhibition Gerard & Kelly: CLOCKWORK is a 35-minute film called Schindler / Glass (2017) depicting performances at the Philip Johnson Glass House (1949) in New Canaan, CT and the Rudolph Schindler House (1921) in West Hollywood, CA.

Private (2018), is a sculptural object outlining the Glass House’s layout that features a page from Franz Schulze’s biography of Johnson, sandwiched in sandblasted glass. It quotes a Lincoln Kirstein letter acknowledging Johnson’s Nazi sympathies and later remorse..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Architect’s Newspaper.

2018 - article mention

Herman, Charlie. (20 July 2018). The personal side of Philip Johnson at the Glass House [regarding "Personal effects" exhibition at Johnson’s Glass House; with mention of Johnson’s Nazi past]. WYNC news (radio) (New York, NY). (Viewed 13 July 2024. S01470).

"... his embrace of fascism and Nazism in his 20’s and 30’s, which he repudiated later in life, further complicates his legacy..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - WNYC News.

2018 - article mention

Morley, Jack Balderrama. (16 August 2018). White supremacists are haunting traditionalist architecture Twitter accounts [with mention of Philip Johnson’s Nazi past]. Architect’s Newspaper. (Viewed 13 July 2024. S01472).

"... Philip Johnson was famously a Nazi sympathizer, despite being openly gay, something that would have gotten him sent to a concentration camp in Hitler’s Germany..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Architect’s Newspaper.

2018 - adapted book excerpt

Lamster, Mark. (31 October 2018). Was architect Philip Johnson a Nazi spy? New York magazine. (Viewed 30 November 2023. S00548).

"... Was Johnson a willing victim of the German propaganda machine or something far more sinister: the Nazi spy Shirer believed him to be? ..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - New York magazine.

2018 - article mention

Simek, Peter. (31 October 2018). What the life of architect Philip Johnson can teach us about the shape of Dallas; Dallas Morning News architecture critic Mark Lamster’s new biography of the controversial architect demonstrates the essential value of criticism. D Magazine. (Viewed 10 July 2024. S01456).

"... When you get to the end of The Man in the Glass House, you are left with a feeling that some of these very notions of what it means to build a good city— to create a great building, to exert a sense of dominance through architecture— are inextricable from the way Johnson’s own life dabbled in radical— and often racist— political and cultural ideas (perhaps the most significant historical contribution in Lamster’s book is its exposition of the extent of Johnson’s sympathetic dealings with the Nazis..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - D Magazine.

2018 - article

Blasius, Elizabeth. (6 November 2018). Just how much of a Nazi was Philip Johnson? ["Mark Lamster’s new book The man in the glass house includes new bits of information about Philip Johnson’s infatuation with fascism."] The Architect’s Newspaper (New York). (Viewed 4 December 2023. S00596).

"’I’m a whore,’ Johnson was known to proclaim... Johnson has proved to be American architecture and design’s most storied strumpet. He played whatever role he wished without much consequence..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - The Architect’s Newspaper.

2018 - interview of Johnson biographer Mark Lamster

Pedersen, Martin. (8 November 2018). Philip Johnson: A complicated, reprehensible history [interview of biographer Mark Lamster; largely regarding his pro-Nazi support]. ArchDaily website. (Viewed 30 November 2023. S00544).

Online - ArchDaily website.

2018 - article mention

(12 November 2018). Check out the best architecture book releases of the fall The Architect’s Newspaper (New York). (Viewed 31 May 2024. S01133).

"... The Man in the Glass House: Philip Johnson, Architect of the Modern Century; Mark Lamster... Nine years in the making, Lamster’s deep dive into the life and career of Philip Johnson pays off in spades. Johnson is presented as a quintessential American architect and a walking mess of contradictions throughout the book; a populist born to an upper-class family who was a millionaire before the age of 25, a gay man who fervently supported the Nazis..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - The Architect’s Newspaper.

2018 - article mention

Heathcote, Edwin. (23 November 2018). Best books of 2018: Architecture and design [including "The man in the Glass House: Philip Johnson, architect of the Modern Century" by Mark Lamster; with mention of Johnson’s Nazi past]. Financial Times. (Viewed 13 July 2024. S01473).

"... Suave, witty, talented, an irrepressible gossip and a one-time Nazi, he was simultaneously loved and hated..." (Excerpt from above.)

2018 - article mention

Taylor, Elizabeth and Cohen, Adam. (30 November 2018). Five hot books: Influential figures and grand ideas [with mention of The man in the Glass House: Philip Johnson, architect of the Modern century by Mark Lamster and his fascist past]. StarTribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota). (Viewed 13 July 2024. S01478).

Online - StarTribune.

2018 - book review

Rosen, Armin. (5 December 2018). Philip Johnson was very Nazi; A new biography, "The Man in the Glass House", shows why it’s hard to ignore the authoritarian characteristics of some of the architect’s more celebrated work, and why the relationship between aesthetics and morality will forever be fraught. Tablet magazine. (Viewed 6 July 2024. S01445).

"Just how much of a Nazi was the most important American architect of the 20th century? Per Mark Lamster’s new The Man in the Glass House: Philip Johnson, Architect of the Modern Century, the answer is nothing short of astonishing, albeit only in the negative sense of the word..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Tablet magazine.

2018 - article preview

(6 December 2018). Philip Johnson, Nazi sympathizer and synagogue architect [preview of Armin Rosen’s book review of Mark Lamster’s The man in the Glass House in Tablet magazine]. Mosaic magazine (New York, NY). (Viewed 6 July 2024. S01452).

Online - Mosaic magazine.

2018 - book review

Saval, Nikil. (12 December 2018). Philip Johnson, the man who made architecture amoral; How a giant of twentieth-century architecture escaped— and enacted— his far-right past. The New Yorker. (Viewed 6 July 2024. S01444).

".. It would be decades later, when Johnson had become one of the country’s most famous architects—his name attached not just to the Seagram Building, but to the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center; to his boxy, glass-walled home in New Canaan, Connecticut; and to skyscrapers across the country— that his Fascist past became news again...

For the Examiner, a Connecticut quarterly, he published an admiring review of two translations of ’Mein Kampf’, and followed it with the speculatively titled ’Are We a Dying People?’, in which he lamented the contemporary ’decline in fertility . . . unique in the history of the white race’. By the late part of the decade, he was in deep. He visited Hitler Youth camps and inspected the country’s building program..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - The New Yorker.

2018 - article mention

Ayoubi, Ayda. (18 December 2018). 15 books for architecture buffs and their little ones [with mention of Lamster’s book and Johnson’s Nazi past]. Architect magazine. (Viewed 13 July 2024. S01476).

"... The Man in the Glass House by Mark Lamster... ’He was a fascist Nazi sympathizer who built synagogues and supported Israel, a genius without originality, an opportunist and a romantic, a populist and a snob. His last great client was Donald Trump.’" (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Architect magazine.

2018 - book review mention

Goldberger, Paul. (20 December 2018). A new biography of the architect Philip Johnson, the "Man in the Glass House" [with mention of Johnson’s Nazi past]. New York Times. (Viewed 13 July 2024. S01477).

"... Lamster deals extensively with Johnson’s horrendous infatuation with the Nazis in the 1930s, a ghastly chapter that was well documented in Franz Schulze’s 1994 biography and that Lamster fleshes out with a few more details...

... he fell under the thrall of both German politics and the attractiveness of Aryan youth... " (Excerpt from above.)

2019 - spotlighted book review

Filler, Martin. (18 April 2019). Mark Lamster’s "The Man in the Glass House: Philip Johnson, Architect of the Modern Century". The New York Review of Books. (Viewed 29 June 2024. S01410).

"... But of far more interest and importance than the architect’s love life is the previously unrevealed extent of his involvement with Nazi Germany.

...Years later he tried to ascribe his enthusiasm for Hitler to the homoerotic appeal of Aryan stormtroopers in hypermasculine military uniforms. But this was no mere sexual fetish, as shown by his extensive writing for Social Justice, the white supremacist, anti-Semitic paper...

... Lamster goes further than any previous writer in asserting that Johnson was infinitely worse than a misguided, impressionable youth who fell for Hitlerian theatrics: he was in effect an unpaid spy for the Nazi regime..." (Excerpts from above.)

2019 - spotlighted video of TV broadcast

Mason, Anthony. (presumably 20 April 2019). New biography reexamines the controversial life and views of architect Philip Johnson [with biographer Mark Lamster, Paul Goldberger]. CBS This Morning: Saturday (Spotlighted at top of webpage). (Viewed 29 June 2024. S01399).

Mason: "Johnson’s former secretary told the FBI he wanted to be Hitler in the United States..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - youtube.

2019 - spotlighted book review

Miranda, Carolina A. (28 April 2019). The original "starchitect"; How Philip Johnson took the reins of 20th-century design, for better or worse [regarding Mark Lamster’s book The man in the Glass House]. Los Angeles Times, Arts & Books section, p. F4. (Viewed 29 June 2024. S01380).

"... he also had a ’flirtation’ with Nazi politics, as some of his obituaries, in 2005, gingerly put it. In actuality, he was kissing Nazism full on the mouth...

’He was never publicly confronted with the full evidence of his complicity,’ writes Lamster, ’that he was more than a Nazi sympathizer but an unpaid Nazi agent of the Nazi state.’ ..." (Excerpt from above.)

Search worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

2019 - other articles

See the articles

2019 - book review

Wise, Michael Z. (8 January 2019). Review of "The Man in the Glass House: Philip Johnson, Architect of the Modern Century" by Mark Lamster. Architectural Record. (Viewed 13 July 2019. S01474).

"... Johnson was, Lamster concludes, ’an unpaid agent of the Nazi state’ who well into middle age was a virulent anti-Semite and a proponent of racist eugenics. In his book, Lamster quotes from the FBI files uncovered by Schulze and compiled after Johnson toured Eastern Europe in 1939 as a correspondent for rightwing U.S. papers at the invitation of Hitler’s propaganda ministry..." (Excerpt from above.)

2019 - article mention

Wagner, Kate. (29 January 2019). The Boys’ Club; On the myths and enigmas of Philip Johnson’s life and of a supposedly egalitarian architectural culture. The Nation. (Viewed 8 May 2024. S01087).

’... later expanded beyond the American scene to include trips to Nazi Germany (he even spent time in Poland as a “journalist” during the early days of the German invasion) and, later, the circulation of Nazi propaganda in the United States as an unpaid agent of the German state...’ (Excerpt from above.)

Online - The Nation.

2019 - article

(14 February 2019). The dark side of Philip Johnson: how the famous architect helped the Nazis in WW II; Johnson has buildings in cities across Canada, U.S.— including Toronto’s CBC Broadcasting Centre [interview of biographer Mark Lamster]. CBC Radio (Canada). (Viewed 30 November 2023. S00546).

Online - CBC.

2019 - book review mention

Miranda, Carolina A. (5 April 2019). Review: An engaging biography records the polemical life of architect Philip Johnson [review of Lamster’s biography; with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. Los Angeles Times. (Viewed 30 December 2023. S00853).

"... In the 1930s, as a young man, he also had a ’flirtation’ with Nazi politics, as some of his obituaries, in 2005, gingerly put it. In actuality, he was kissing Nazism full on the mouth... " (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Los Angeles Times.

2019 - article

Sitz, Miriam. (20 April 2019). Mark Lamster discusses Philip Johnson biography on CBS This Morning. Architectural Record. (Viewed 29 June 2024. S01398).

"... The 6-minute segment takes a closer look at Johnson’s ties to fascism and Nazi politics. ’He threw away his career as a curator to try and become this fascist politician,’ Lamster, a RECORD contributor, tells CBS. ’It’s a terrible moment in his history’ ..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Architectural Record.

2019 - article mention

Garrow, Matt. (24 July 2019). 10 famous people who were Nazi sympathizers [#2 Philip Johnson]. listverse.com. (Viewed 30 November 2023. S00547).

Online - listverse.com.

2020s

2020 - spotlighted article

Bernstein, Fred A. (4 December 2020). MoMA and Harvard GSD Respond to activists’ call to remove Philip Johnson’s name. Architectural Record. (Viewed 29 May 2024. S01120).

"The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and Harvard’s Graduate School of Design (GSD) have responded to a November 27th letter demanding that they remove Philip Johnson’s name from every “leadership title, public space or honorific” at those institutions because of his racist and white supremacist activities..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Architectural Record.

2020 - spotlighted article

Betsky, Aaron. (11 December 2020). Why we should cancel Philip Johnson; Aaron Betsky on the call to strip the architect’s name from public institutions. Architect magazine. (Viewed 6 July 2024. S01447).

"It is time to cancel Philip Johnson. In fact, it’s long overdue. For all of his significance in codifying Modernist architecture and helping several generations of architects keep its pursuit current, and despite his philanthropic generosity in donating the immense wealth he inherited and much of his art to select institutions, there is no getting around the fact that Johnson was a Nazi supporter...

Fascist forms crept into Johnson’s work and from there entered mainstream American architecture...

Equally troubling to me is the manner in which Johnson got away with his fascism... Even the Glass House, with its enforced openness that contrasted with the “sex cave” hidden underground, smacks of the S&M side of fascism..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Architect Magazine.

2020 - other articles

See the articles

2020 - article

(3 August 2020). Design Archives: Philip Johnson, 1906-2005; The life and work of the controversial American architect is the subject of a lavish new monograph [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. Homes & Interiors Scotland (Viewed 3 December 2023. S00567).

"... In the 1930s, however, his mind was on darker matters and he became involved with fascism. He was a frequent visitor to Germany during this period and even attended Nazi rallies, admitting to getting ’swept up’ in the ’spectacle’— ironic, given that the Bauhaus approach to teaching and creativity was despised by the Nazis, and that Mies and Gropius would be forced to flee to the States as the situation in Europe deteriorated... " (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Homes & Interiors Scotland.

2020 - article

Dafoe, Taylor. (2 December 2020). Prominent architects are calling on MoMA to remove Philip Johnson’s name from its walls over his ties to fascism; Seven of the 10 architects in an upcoming exhibition at the museum were among the signatories of an open letter. artnet.com. (Viewed 30 November 2023. S00543).

Online - artnet.com.

2020 - article

Ludel, Wallace. (4 December 2020). Artists and architects ask MoMA and other institutions to remove Philip Johnson’s name citing his racist views; The famous architect attended Nazi rallies in his youth and openly made anti-Semitic and white supremacist comments. Art Newspaper. (Viewed 29 May 2024. S01121).

Online - The Art Newspaper.

2020 - article

Di Liscia, Valentina. (7 December 2020). After architects denounce Philip Johnson’s white supremacist views, Harvard will rename a house he designed; The Philip Johnson Thesis House will henceforth be known as simply "9 Ash Street", the building’s physical address. Hyperallergic. (Viewed 13 July 2024. S01479).

Online - Hyperallergic.

2020 - article

Dafoe, Taylor. (8 December 2020). Bowing to pressure, Harvard will remove Philip Johnson’s name from a building he designed because of his support for Nazism; The home Johnson designed for his architectural thesis will now be referred to only by its street address. artnet.com. (Viewed 13 July 2024. S01480).

"... In the 1930s, Johnson worked with extreme right-wing groups in the US and promoted anti-Semitism and Nazism, and attempted to form a fascist political party in America..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - artnet.com.

2020 - article

Hickman, Matt. (8 December 2020). Harvard will remove Philip Johnson’s name from Cambridge home that he designed as graduate student [with reference to Johnson’s Nazi past]. The Architect’s Newspaper. (Viewed 13 July 2024. S01483).

Online - The Architect’s Newspaper.

2020 - article

Gibson, Eleanor. (10 December 2020). Philip Johnson’s first building renamed amid protest over architect’s "white supremacist views". dezeen. (Viewed 13 July 2024. S01481).

Online - dezeen.

2020 - article

Pitcher, Greg. (10 December 2020). Harvard drops association with "white supremacist" Philip Johnson. Architect’s Journal (UK). (Viewed 19 December 2023. S00773).

Online - Architect’s Journal.

2020 - article

Whyte, Murray. (10 December 2020). Philip Johnson: An ugly history that must be named [with mention of Johnson’s Nazi past]. Boston Globe. (Viewed 13 July 2024. S01382).

"... He worked with white supremacists, consorted with Nazis, and even tried to start a fascist party in the US as Hitler rose to power in Germany. With the country on the cusp of entering the Second World War, he was cowed only when the FBI investigated him for sedition in 1940..." (Excerpt from above.)

2020 - article

Bryant, Miranda. (13 December 2020). MoMa urged to drop Philip Johnson’s name over architect’s fascist past; After Harvard University said his racism and white supremacy had no place in design, the New York museum is under pressure to act. The Guardian (UK). (Viewed 6 July 2024. S01445).

"... His history with fascism, antisemitism and the Nazis is well documented. He tried to start a fascist political party in the United States, attended the Nuremberg rally of 1938 and described Hitler as ’a spellbinder’... " (Excerpt from above.)

Online - The Guardian.

2020 - article

Hickman, Matt. (14 December 2020). Harvard will remove Philip Johnson’s name from Cambridge home that he designed as graduate student [with reference to Johnson’s Nazi past]. ArchDaily in partnership with The Architect’s Newspaper. (Viewed 13 July 2024. S01482).

Online - ArchDaily.

2020 - article

(15 December 2020). MoMA feels the heat over architect’s "fascist past" [referring to Philip Johnson’s fascist and Nazi past]. Architecture and Design (Sydney area, Australia). (Viewed 13 July 2024. S01486).

Online - Architecture and Design (Australia).

2020 - article

(16 December 2020). Harvard removes Philip Johnson’s name from Cambridge home because of his "white supremacist views". World Architecture. (Viewed 13 July 2024. S01484).

"... The Harvard GSD’s decision comes after The Johnson Study Group, an online organization documenting Philip Johnson’s ties with fascism and Nazism, sent a letter on November 27, 2020 calling all public institutions to remove Philip Johnson’s name from ’all spaces and titles’ in reference of honor..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - World Architecture.

2020 - article

Hickman, Matt. (18 December 2020). Harvard removerá nome de Philip Johnson do edifício que projetou enquanto estudante [In English, roughly, "Harvard will remove Philip Johnson’s name from Cambridge home that he designed as graduate student"; with reference to Johnson’s Nazi past]. ArchDaily (Brazil) in partnership with Architect’s Newspaper. (Viewed 13 July 2024. S01485).

Online - Architect’s Newspaper.

2021 - spotlighted article, with video of TV news broadcast (above)

Lyden, Tom. (8 February 2021). Glass houses: Designer [Philip Johnson] of IDS Center [Minneapolis] was Nazi sympathizer (Spotlighted at top of webpage). FOX 9 news (KMSP) (Minneapolis, Minnesota). (Viewed 30 November 2023. S00539).

"Nearly 50 years ago, the IDS Center became the star of the Minneapolis skyline. At 57-stories it remains the city’s tallest building.

For the man who designed it, architect Philip Johnson, it was also a breakthrough...

’We can’t sugar coat it. He was quite simply a devoted fascist for eight years,’ said historian Marc Wortman, who included Johnson in his book, ’1941: Fighting the Shadow War,’ which traces America’s entry into World War II...

’He envisioned himself as an American Fuhrer,’ said architectural critic Mark Lamster, who wrote a meticulously documented biography of Johnson, ’The Man In The Glass House.’ ... "(Excerpt from above.)

Online - Fox 9 Minneapolis.

2021 - spotlighted article

Adams, Michael Henry. (21 March 2021). MoMA wants to cancel Philip Johnson— many who knew him do not. The Guardian (London). (Viewed 3 December 2023. S00571).

"... In the grill at the Four Seasons he remembered how, back from Germany in 1934, he made a fateful jaunt to Harlem’s Club Hot-Cha. On seeing the elegant African American singer Jimmie Daniels, Johnson said, he determined to make the beautiful youth his lover.

Johnson could be exceedingly charming. But had he really repented? His Jewish friends and Black employees thought so. So do I..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - The Guardian.

2021 - other articles

See the articles

2021 - article

Santoni, Serena. (8 January 2021). Harvard cancella il nome di Philip Johnson, sostenitore del nazismo [in English, roughly, "Harvard cancels the name of Philip Johnson, supporter of Nazism"]. exibart website (Rome, Italy). (Viewed 17 July 2024. S01552).

Online - exibart website.

2021 - article mention

De la Rosa, Rogelio. (24 January 2021). Philip Johnson EN 5 obras [in English, roughly, "Philip Johnson in five works"; with mention of his Nazi past]. El Norte (Monterrey, Mexico), p. 4. (Viewed 15 July 2024. S01489).

"... El arquitecto estadounidense Philip Johnson (1906-2005) ha sido acusado de supuesto racismo y colaboración con el partido Nazi..." (In English, roughly, "... The American architect Philip Johnson (1906-2005) has been accused of alleged racism and collaboration with the Nazi party..." (Excerpt from above.)

Search worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

2021 - article

Di Liscia, Valentina. (1 March 2021). MoMA will temporarily cover Philip Johnson’s name after architects denounce white supremacist ties; A wall sign bearing Johnson’s name will be covered by an artwork during the run of the exhibition Reconstructions: Architecture and Blackness in America. Hyperallergic. (Viewed 15 July 2024. S01509).

"... The American modernist was affiliated with the Nazi party in the 1930s, translating and disseminating its propaganda; decades later, he justified his association as a homoerotic fascination with Nazi uniforms..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Hyperallergic.

2021 - preview news brief

Walter, Alexander. (2 March 2021). MoMA agrees to temporarily cover Philip Johnson’s name with Black Reconstruction Collective artwork [with mention of Johnson’s Nazi past]. Archinect. (Viewed 15 July 2024. S01510).

"... The debate over Philip Johnson’s past and ongoing legacy continues: after The Johnson Study Group published an open letter calling for all institutions to remove the name of Philip Johnson from ’every leadership title, public space, and honorific of any form’ in response to the architect’s documented Fascist past and support of white supremacy..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Archinect.

2021 - article

Dafoe, Taylor. (2 March 2021). A black design collective will temporarily obscure architect and Nazi sympathizer Philip Johnson’s name from a gallery at MoMA. artnet.com. (Viewed 30 November 2023. S00542).

Online - artnet.com.

2021 - article

Hickman, Matt. (2 March 2021). Philip Johnson’s name covered at MoMA for Reconstructions: Architecture and Blackness in America [with mention of Johnson’s Nazi past]. Architect’s Newspaper. (Viewed 21 July 2024. S01557).

"... The ’allegations against Johnson’ mentioned by MoMA don’t exactly spring from a newfound revelation, as the fascist leanings of the inaugural Pritzker Prize laureate and former MoMA trustee-slash-patron-slash-curator are the stuff of abhorrent legend..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Architect’s Newspaper.

2021 - article mention

Berg, Nate. (15 March 2021). Architecture has a racist past. These artists radically reimagined it; A new MOMA exhibit explores architecture and Blackness [with mention of "Nazi sympathizer Philip Johnson"]. Fast Company. (Viewed 9 December 2023. S00654).

Online - Fast Company website.

2021 - article

Greenberger, Alex. (25 March 2021). MoMA’s Philip Johnson problem: How to address the architect’s legacy? ARTnews. (Viewed 3 December 2023. S00572).

".. Lamster, the Johnson biographer, said that, because of Johnson’s outsized influence at the museum, it would be nearly impossible for MoMA to scrub him from its history. ’To cancel Philip Johnson is to cancel MoMA,’ Lamster said. That does not mean that the moment isn’t ripe for reflection, Lamster continued. ’There is no canceling Philip Johnson. He’s already dead— that’s as canceled as you can get. The question is how you understand his legacy. If canceling means we don’t grapple with that history, that’s a big mistake. If canceling means removing his name, that’s a different story’ ..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - ARTnews.

2021 - article mention

Cohen, Noam. (26 March 2021). Sure, erase the names of history’s racists. That won’t undo their messes. The public spaces, medical system and policing these men helped create are still in place [with mention of Philip Johnson’s pro-Nazi past]. Washington Post. (Viewed 6 July 2024. S01450).

"... In the 1930s, when he was organizing MoMA’s early architecture exhibitions, he was simultaneously extolling Hitler, preaching anti-Semitism and trying to build a fascist political party in the United States to work in partnership with the Nazi government. He later publicly renounced his fascist support..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Washington Post.

2021 - article mention

Whyte, Murray. (28 March 2021). What if cities were built for Blackness? [With mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support, in an odd review of a race-oriented exhibition...]. Boston Globe, presumably p. N1. (Viewed 7 December 2023. Q00556).

"... The collective asked the museum to remove Johnson’s stamp from the space, given his history as a Nazi associate and his gatekeeping role... " (Excerpt from above.)

Search worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

2021 - article mention

Lang, Joel. (23 May 2021). Artist David Hartt wants to create a "salon" for Black artists at the Glass House in New Canaan [with mention of Johnson and his 1930s support for fascism]. Connecticut Post (Bridgeport, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00838).

"... [At MoMA] The exhibit happens to be in rooms named for Johnson, who became a subject of controversy because of his fascist and white supremacist opinions in the 1930s. They were not just passive; Johnson became so politically active that by 1940 the FBI kept a file on him for possible sedition, according to a 2018 biography..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Connecticut Post.

2021 - article

Lang, Joel. (23 May 2021). Artist David Hartt wants to create a "salon" for Black artists at the Glass House in New Canaan [with mention of Johnson and his 1930s support for fascism]. CTInsider news website (Connecticut). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00839).

Online - CTInsider news website.

2021 - article

Lang, Joel. (23 May 2021). Artist David Hartt wants to create a "salon" for Black artists at the Glass House in New Canaan [with mention of Johnson and his 1930s support for fascism]. Greenwich Time newspaper (Greenwich, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00840).

Online - Greenwich Time.

2021 - article

Lang, Joel. (23 May 2021). Artist David Hartt wants to create a "salon" for Black artists at the Glass House in New Canaan [with mention of Johnson and his 1930s support for fascism]. The Hour newspaper (Norwalk, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00841).

Online - The Hour.

2021 - article

Lang, Joel. (23 May 2021). Artist David Hartt wants to create a "salon" for Black artists at the Glass House in New Canaan [with mention of Johnson and his 1930s support for fascism]. Middletown Press (Middletown, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00842).

Online - Middletown Press.

2021 - article

Lang, Joel. (23 May 2021). Artist David Hartt wants to create a "salon" for Black artists at the Glass House in New Canaan [with mention of Johnson and his 1930s support for fascism]. The Milford Mirror (Milford, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00843).

Online - The Milford Mirror.

2021 - article

Lang, Joel. (23 May 2021). Artist David Hartt wants to create a "salon" for Black artists at the Glass House in New Canaan [with mention of Johnson and his 1930s support for fascism]. The New Canaan Advertiser (New Canaan, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00844).

Online - The New Canaan Advertiser.

2021 - article

Lang, Joel. (23 May 2021). Artist David Hartt wants to create a "salon" for Black artists at the Glass House in New Canaan [with mention of Johnson and his 1930s support for fascism]. New Haven Register (New Haven, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00845).

Online - New Haven Register.

2021 - article

Lang, Joel. (23 May 2021). Artist David Hartt wants to create a "salon" for Black artists at the Glass House in New Canaan [with mention of Johnson and his 1930s support for fascism]. The News-Times (Danbury, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00846).

Online - The News-Times.

2021 - article

Lang, Joel. (23 May 2021). Artist David Hartt wants to create a "salon" for Black artists at the Glass House in New Canaan [with mention of Johnson and his 1930s support for fascism]. The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00847).

Online - The Register Citizen.

2021 - article

Lang, Joel. (23 May 2021). Artist David Hartt wants to create a "salon" for Black artists at the Glass House in New Canaan [with mention of Johnson and his 1930s support for fascism]. The Ridgefield Press (Ridgefield, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00848).

Online - The Ridgefield Press.

2021 - article

Lang, Joel. (23 May 2021). Artist David Hartt wants to create a "salon" for Black artists at the Glass House in New Canaan [with mention of Johnson and his 1930s support for fascism]. Shelton Herald (Shelton, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00849).

Online - Shelton Herald.

2021 - article

Lang, Joel. (23 May 2021). Artist David Hartt wants to create a "salon" for Black artists at the Glass House in New Canaan [with mention of Johnson and his 1930s support for fascism]. Stamford Advocate (Stamford, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00850).

Online - Stamford Advocate.

2021 - article

Lang, Joel. (23 May 2021). Artist David Hartt wants to create a "salon" for Black artists at the Glass House in New Canaan [with mention of Johnson and his 1930s support for fascism]. Trumbull Times (Trumbull, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00851).

Online - Trumbull Times.

2021 - article

Lang, Joel. (23 May 2021). Artist David Hartt wants to create a "salon" for Black artists at the Glass House in New Canaan [with mention of Johnson and his 1930s support for fascism]. Wilton Bulletin (Wilton, CT). (Viewed 22 December 2023. S00852).

Online - Wilton Bulletin.

2022 - spotlighted article mention

Cardinalis, Kye. (9 August 2022). Beauty from bleakness: Philip Johnson’s Glass House [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi past]. Atomic Ranch magazine. (Viewed 3 July 2024. S01412).

"... Philip Johnson was a Nazi sympathizer. Indeed, he was an active participant in the movement, visiting the front lines and writing propaganda by invitation of the Third Reich. He referred to the burning of Warsaw as ’a stirring spectacle’.

In Philip Johnson: A Visual Biography, Ian Volner writes, ’The cylindrical brick volume, breaking the simplicity of the steel box, was once likened by Philip to a ruined village he had seen years before. He meant, of course, a place he’d seen in Poland during his fascist period. As historian Anthony Vidler once wrote, the Glass House could then be read as ‘a Polish farmhouse "purified" by the fire of war of everything but its architectural "essence": an uncanny echo of a dark past, lurking within the familiar icon of American glamor.’.. " (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Atomic Ranch.

2022 - spotlighted article

Stewart, Carolyn. (10 October 2022). America’s Nazi architect; He was a brilliant creative and a fixture in New York’s art scene. In wrestling with Philip Johnson’s legacy, there’s opportunity and serious responsibility. American Purpose website. (Viewed 3 December 2023. S00568).

"Before I could raise the topic, another visitor [of the Glass House] beat me to it. Visibly tense, he asked the tour guide why the tour avoided any mention of Johnson’s connection to the Nazis. A few others in the group nodded their heads in agreement. The tour guide looked a touch sheepish and said, with a shoulder shrug, that the Glass House is still closely tied to Johnson’s surviving friends and mentees...

Let’s contextualize Philip Johnson, not cancel him. By acknowledging the architect’s disgraceful past, we can put his legacy to work for the greater good..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - American Purpose website.

2022 - other articles

See the articles

2022 - article mention

Waddoups, Ryan. (15 April 2022). A Philip Johnson house is reborn as an inclusive cultural space [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi past]. Surface magazine. (Viewed 1 July 2024. S01411).

"... Overlooking the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge on a hilltop in the picturesque Hudson Valley is the BIPOC- and LGBTQ-led Wolfhouse, a classic midcentury-modern home completed in 1949 by Philip Johnson, who in recent years has come under fire for his support of Nazism..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Surface magazine.

2022 - article mention

Duffield, Grace. (27 April 2022). "Colored garden" named ’provocatively’ to confront New Canaan’s Glass House’s past and future [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. Connecticut Post (Bridgeport, CT). (Viewed 9 December 2023. S00655).

"... Glass House staff discussed moving forward in light of Johnson’s complex history— a gay man who expressed Nazi sympathies before WWII and who went on to become a leader in Mid-Century Modern architecture which his home exemplifies..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Connecticut Post.

2022 - article mention

Duffield, Grace. (27 April 2022). "Colored garden" named ’provocatively’ to confront New Canaan’s Glass House’s past and future [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. CTInsider news website (Connecticut). (Viewed 9 December 2023. S00656).

Online - CTInsider news website.

2022 - article mention

Duffield, Grace. (27 April 2022). "Colored garden" named ’provocatively’ to confront New Canaan’s Glass House’s past and future [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. Greenwich Time newspaper (Greenwich, CT). (Viewed 9 December 2023. S00657).

Online - Greenwich Time.

2022 - article mention

Duffield, Grace. (27 April 2022). "Colored garden" named ’provocatively’ to confront New Canaan’s Glass House’s past and future [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. The Hour newspaper (Norwalk, CT). (Viewed 9 December 2023. S00658).

Online - The Hour newspaper.

2022 - article mention

Duffield, Grace. (27 April 2022). "Colored garden" named ’provocatively’ to confront New Canaan’s Glass House’s past and future [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. Middletown Press (Middletown, CT). (Viewed 9 December 2023. S00659).

Online - Middletown Press.

2022 - article mention

Duffield, Grace. (27 April 2022). "Colored garden" named ’provocatively’ to confront New Canaan’s Glass House’s past and future [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. The Milford Mirror (Milford, CT). (Viewed 9 December 2023. S00660).

Online - The Milford Mirror.

2022 - article mention

Duffield, Grace. (27 April 2022). "Colored garden" named ’provocatively’ to confront New Canaan’s Glass House’s past and future [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. The New Canaan Advertiser (New Canaan, CT). (Viewed 9 December 2023. S00661).

Online - The New Canaan Advertiser.

2022 - article mention

Duffield, Grace. (27 April 2022). "Colored garden" named ’provocatively’ to confront New Canaan’s Glass House’s past and future [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. New Haven Register (New Haven, CT). (Viewed 9 December 2023. S00662).

Online - New Haven Register.

2022 - article mention

Duffield, Grace. (27 April 2022). "Colored garden" named ’provocatively’ to confront New Canaan’s Glass House’s past and future [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. The News-Times (Danbury, CT). (Viewed 9 December 2023. S00663).

Online - The News-Times.

2022 - article mention

Duffield, Grace. (27 April 2022). "Colored garden" named ’provocatively’ to confront New Canaan’s Glass House’s past and future [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT). (Viewed 9 December 2023. S00664).

Online - The Register Citizen.

2022 - article mention

Duffield, Grace. (27 April 2022). "Colored garden" named ’provocatively’ to confront New Canaan’s Glass House’s past and future [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. The Ridgefield Press (Ridgefield, CT). (Viewed 9 December 2023. S00665).

Online - The Ridgefield Press.

2022 - article mention

Duffield, Grace. (27 April 2022). "Colored garden" named ’provocatively’ to confront New Canaan’s Glass House’s past and future [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. Shelton Herald (Shelton, CT). (Viewed 9 December 2023. S00666).

Online - Shelton Herald.

2022 - article mention

Duffield, Grace. (27 April 2022). "Colored garden" named ’provocatively’ to confront New Canaan’s Glass House’s past and future [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. Stamford Advocate (Stamford, CT). (Viewed 9 December 2023. S00667).

Online - Stamford Advocate.

2022 - article mention

Duffield, Grace. (27 April 2022). "Colored garden" named ’provocatively’ to confront New Canaan’s Glass House’s past and future [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. Trumbull Times (Trumbull, CT). (Viewed 9 December 2023. S00668).

Online - Trumbull Times.

2022 - article mention

Duffield, Grace. (27 April 2022). "Colored garden" named ’provocatively’ to confront New Canaan’s Glass House’s past and future [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. Wilton Bulletin (Wilton, CT). (Viewed 9 December 2023. S00669).

Online - Wilton Bulletin.

2022 - article mention

Viglucci, Andres. (4 September 2022). Miami-Dade’s cultural center, built to save downtown 40 years ago, may be scrapped [with mention of Philip Johnson’s pro-Nazi support past]. Miami Herald. (Viewed 6 July 2024. S01449).

"In the late 1970s, Philip Johnson was America’s most famous and influential living architect, and what was then known as Dade County needed someone to design an iconic cultural center to help rescue a dying downtown Miami...

Audacious and sometimes controversial— Johnson was a committed Fascist and Nazi sympathizer in the 1930s before reversing course..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Miami Herald.

2022 - article / review mention

Sellers, Meredith. (29 November 2022). Unseen landscapes at Art Alliance; "New typologies", a three artist exhibit, views classical notions with a contemporary lens [with mention of Philip Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. Philadelphia Inquirer, p. B7. (Viewed 1 December 2023. S00549).

"... [David Hartt’s video Et in Arcadia Ego] was filmed at modernist architect Philip Johnson’s famed Glass House... In addition to being a paradigm-shifting architect, Johnson was a Nazi sympathizer, an antisemite, a believer in eugenics... " (Excerpt from above.)

Search worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

2022 - article

(24 December 2022). Philip Johnson Gay. Modernist. Nazi sympathiser. The Modernist’s guide to cocktails website. (Viewed 3 December 2023. S00570).

"... Is it ethical to enjoy a work of art, when the person who created it espoused values that are abhorrent or if they themselves behaved in a deeply unethical manner? How unethical is too unethical? ..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - The Modernist’s Guide to Cocktails website.

2023 - spotlighted book chapter and mentions

Maddow, Rachel. (2023). PREQUEL: An American fight against fascism [with chapter 1: The Glass House; focus on pro-Nazism of Philip Johnson, which continues in the book], pp. 416. Crown Publishing Group. (Viewed 2 December 2023).

> Note that in Maddow’s extensive media interviews and podcasts regarding the book, she more often than not does not mention Philip Johnson, and opts for others instead.

MSNBC website.

2023 - article / spotlighted radio interview

Rachini, Mouhamad. (17 October 2023). How far-right plotters tried to introduce Nazi-inspired fascism to pre-WW II U.S [with excerpts from the interview of Rachel Maddow, presumably; with embedded radio interview of Rachel Maddow by Matt Galloway]. CBC (The Current program). (Viewed 4 December 2023. S00593).

[14.44+] Matt Galloway: How do you understand, how somebody like [Johnson], goes on to be ostensibly a respectable member of society?

Maddow: Excellent question! Yeah. How does that happen..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - CBC.

2023 - spotlighted podcast mention

Wittes, Benjamin. (c. 9 November 2023). Rachel Maddow on her book "Prequel: An American fight against fascism" [with mention of Philip Johnson and his pro-Nazi views]. Lawfare podcast. (Viewed 3 December 2023. S00573).

[1:07:55] Rachel Maddow: "I’m trying to make John Rogge a hero in the U. S. Justice Department... I’m trying to make Leon Lewis as famous as I can possibly make him...

I work in the news business. I spend a lot of time everyday, thinking about, working on, reporting on, and explaining the doings of the worst people in America and the worst people in the world. It is also worth not letting those people be lost to history— and holding them to account too. The long tail of Philip Johnson... is a tail that should have been stepped on by a public that was better informed about their villiany..." (Excerpt from above.)

2023 - other articles

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2023 - article mention

Stevens Curl, James. (21 January 2023). Hitler’s revenge; The RIBA Journal confuses architectural history [with mention of Philip Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. The Critic magazine. (Viewed 4 December 2023. S00597).

"... Philip Johnson joined in the widespread adulation accorded to Nazi Germany after he heard Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) speak, and for a time was closely involved with some vile rabble-rousers opposed to Franklin Delano Roosevelt..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - The Critic Magazine.

2023 - article mention

Palumbo, Jacqui. (29 June 2023). Steeped in history and race, Gary Simmons’ ghostly artworks are timeless— and all too timely [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. CNN (Style section). (Viewed 2 December 2023. S00557).

"... For ’Public Enemy,’ Simmons recreated four monumental works in paint and chalk, including a trio called ’1964’... Each of the three depicts an architectural structure or design element with darker implications, such as architect Philip Johnson’s 1940s modernist masterpiece Glass House— a building which was allegedly partially influenced by Polish homes stripped down during World War II, and a reflection of Johnson’s purported Nazi affiliation..." (my underlining, excerpt from above).

Online - CNN website.

2023 - article mention

Droge, Isabel. (28 July 2023). 5 Buildings Designed by Celebrated Architect Philip Johnson. The Collector website. (Viewed 27 May 2024. S01116).

"... Between 1934 and 1940, Johnson had in fact proved to be sympathetic to Fascist politics..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - The Collector website.

2023 - article mention

Shesol, Jeff. (15 October 2023). Is there fascist DNA in the U.S. body politic? Rachel Maddow’s "Prequel" and Heather Cox Richardson’s ’Democracy awakening’ follow plots against America hatched by homegrown autocrats. New York Times. (Viewed 4 December 2023. S00595).

"... Nazi fetishists like Philip Johnson— later an acclaimed architect— set out in search of an American Hitler... " (Excerpt from above.)

Online - New York Times.

2023 - book excerpt mention

Maddow, Rachel. (25 November 2023). The Secret Nazi Plot Inside America [book excerpt; with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. Rolling Stone magazine. (Viewed 3 December 2023. S00569).

"... That German propaganda campaign, by ground and by air, was facilitated by a cadre of American troops. There was Lawrence Dennis, proud to be known as ’the intellectual godfather of American fascism’; his mentee Philip Johnson, later a celebrated modern architect... " (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Rolling Stone magazine.

2023 - article mention

Pfarrer, Steve. (22 December 2023). Rachel Maddow’s new book examines American fascism in the WWII era and the fight against it [with mention of Philip Johnson’s Nazi past]. Greenfield Recorder (Greenfield, Massachusetts). (Viewed 22 July 2024. S01511).

"... She also notes that fascism and Nazism attracted a strange group of fellow travelers, from the future architect Philip Johnson..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Greenfield Recorder.

2024 - spotlighted article

Roche, Daniel. (26 January 2024). In Prequel, Rachel Maddow chronicles Philip Johnson’s fascist activity for the general public. Architect’s Newspaper. (Viewed 27 May 2024. S01117).

"... Touring Nazi-occupied Poland in 1939 with SS officers, attending a 1939 Hitler rally in Nuremberg, actively spying for the Nazis, designing a stage for the fascist radio personality Father Coughlin, and translating texts about Nazi political economy into English over a 20-year period were just a few of Philip Johnson’s so-called ’mistakes.’ ..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Architect’s Newspaper.

2024 - spotlighted TV news broadcast mention

Maddow, Rachel. (12 February 2024). TV news segment mentioning Tucker Carlson, Vladimir Putin and Philip Johnson (start at 8:07) (spotlighted at top of webpage). Rachel Maddow show, MSNBC. (Viewed 4 May 2024. S01071).

Rachel Maddow: ... [Putin] claimed in this interview that it was Poland who started World War II. Poland did it! Because even though Poland had cooperated with Hitler up to a point, they stopped cooperating with Hitler when Hitler really wanted them to cooperate more. And once that happened, Hitler had no choice: he just had to invade, and by the way it was kind of doing Poland a favor...

We haven’t had someone trying to sell this line to an American audience since it happened the first time in 1939, right? With Philip Johnson’s "reporting", right? With him, we had a committed American fascist allied with the Nazis, openly routing for them, trying to sell us this bill of goods..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - youtube.

2024 - spotlighted article mention

Stacom, Dan. (24 April 2024). There’s a proposal to redevelop a 300-year-old CT home. Why town residents are fighting it [with mention of Philip Johnson’s Nazi past]. Hartford Courant. (Viewed 18 July 2024. S01554).

"... ’What the foundation is seeking approval for is not much different from having the circus permanently encamp at 6 Opening Hill Road,’ neighbors Carolyn and John Dugan wrote in a letter to the town earlier this month...

One neighbor even argued that a prominent architect who supposedly took part in an expansion of the original house had a history of being a Nazi sympathizer— in the 1930s.

’While (Philip) Johnson’s contributions to architecture are undeniable, his controversial beliefs and associations cast a dark shadow over his legacy,’ Kachina Way resident Frank Rizzo wrote. ’As stewards of our community’s integrity and values, we must carefully consider whether honoring such a legacy aligns with our principles of inclusivity, equality and tolerance..." (Excerpts from above.)

Online - Hartford Courant.

2024 - spotlighted podcast mention

Hart, Bradley W. (presenter). (11 June 2024). Episode 10 - The godfather (Lawrence Dennis) [16:40+: Nancy Beck Young mentions Philip Johnson giving Lawrence Dennis USD$5000 enabling his work]. Star-spangled Fascism Podcast. (Viewed 14 June 2024. S01385).

Online - Star-spangled Fascism Podcast.

2024 - spotlighted article

Mashiach, Italy. (14 June 2024). The nazi who built Israel a nuclear reactor: The dark side of architect Philip Johnson; The story of the reactor at Nahal Soreq is also the story of the whitewashing of the godfather of American architecture, Philip Johnson, a racist and white supremacist who according to his secretary wanted to be "the Hitler of the United States". Haaretz newspaper (Tel Aviv, Israel). (Viewed 6 July 2024. S01441).

"... The go-to architect for members of New York cultural elite, an ardent fascist and antisemite, also built a nuclear reactor for Israel...

Did Johnson conceal in one of the iconic structures of modern architecture a reference to destroyed Polish villages, that "stirring spectacle" he saw during the Nazi invasion of 1939? ..." (Excerpt from above.)

2024 - other articles

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2024 - article mention

Bailey, Spencer. (29 March 2024). Inside the Brick House, Philip Johnson’s private playground; After a major restoration, the Glass House’s sister property opens to the public for the first time, revealing the secret history of an architectural curiosity, and the interior life of its mastermind. Town & Country magazine. (Viewed 17 July 2024. S01553).

"... There was also Johnson the fascist and antisemite, a political position he later downplayed as a youthful indiscretion but that biographers conclude was a sincere conviction. ’He was all-in for the complete bag of Nazi awfulness,’ Mark Lamster, the author of The Man in the Glass House, told Metropolis magazine ..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Town & Country.

2024 - article mention

Hawthorne, Christopher. (13 April 2024). Philip Johnson’s Brick House and its hidden boudoir, exposed [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support past]. New York Times. (Viewed 25 May 2024. S01114).

"... Then there is the question of Johnson’s politics. Scholars in recent years have devoted increasing attention to Johnson’s embrace of Fascism, which began in the 1930s after he left a curatorial post at the Museum of Modern Art and ultimately saw him accompany Nazi troops as they invaded Poland in 1939..." (Excerpt from above.)

2024 - article mention

Stacom, Don (Hartford Courant). (24 April 2024). In Conn. shoreline town, some fear new philanthropic center would amount to "a circus" [with mention of Philip Johnson’s Nazi past]. The Day (New London, CT). (Viewed 19 July 2024. S01555).

Online - The Day.

2024 - article mention

Scanlan, Brian D. (16 June 2024). Window to history; How we nearly lost Ellis Island— and how we must preserve it [with mention of Philip Johnson’s Nazi past]. Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, New York), pp. 5B, 9B. (Viewed 17 July 2024. S00550).

"... The Department of the Interior commissioned famed architect and former Nazi sympathizer Philip Johnson..." (Excerpt from above.)

Search worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

2024 - article mention

Scanlan, Brian D. (16 June 2024). Window to history; How we nearly lost Ellis Island— and how we must preserve it [with mention of Philip Johnson’s Nazi past]. The North Jersey Herald & News / The Record / Herald News, (Passaic, New Jersey), p. 2O. (Viewed 17 July 2024. S01512).

Search worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

n. d.

undated resources

See the articles

n. d. - Wikipedia entry mention

(undated). "Glass House" by Philip Johnson entry [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. Wikipedia. (Viewer 3 December 2023).

Online - Wikipedia.org.

n. d. - biographical statement mention

(undated). Philip Cortelyou Johnson (July 8, 1906 – January 25, 2005) [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. The Glass House website. (Viewed 7 December 2023. S00613).

"... While he did not appear to maintain these attitudes lifelong, he espoused pro-Nazi and American fascist sympathies during 1934-1940, which his biographer Franz Schulze referred to as the ’inglorious detour.’ ... " (Excerpt from above.)

Online - The Glass House website.

n. d. - Wikipedia entry mention

(undated). Philip Johnson [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. wikipedia.org. (Viewed 30 November 2023.)

Online - Wikipedia.org.

n. d. - article mention

Krishna, Ujjvala. (undated). Philip Johnson: Understanding the philosophy of Philip Johnson [with mention of Johnson’s pro-Nazi support]. Rethinking The Future website. (Viewed 6 December 2023. S006 ).

"... Also, a Nazi sympathizer and a fascist, [Philip Johnson] did receive a lot of backlash for his ideologies maintaining ani-Semitic stances..." (Excerpt from above.)

Online - Rethinking The Future website.