Charleston Gardens and the Landscape Legacy of Loutrel Briggs
The remarkable artistry of Loutrel Briggs profoundly enhanced Charleston's gardens and parks and made a beautiful city even more so. His work has been captured in innumerable paintings and photographs and is carried in the minds and hearts of all who have been inspired by the spaces he created. Jim Cothran's most interesting book does justice to Briggs and his legacy and will forever enrich this city.The Honorable Joseph P. Riley, Jr., mayor of CharlestonCharleston Gardens and the Landscape Legacy of Loutrel Briggs is a significant contribution to southern garden history, especially Charleston garden history. Few individuals have had as profound of an impact on Charleston gardens, their renaissance, understanding, and appeal as did Loutrel Briggs. Cothran's summary, review, and documentation of Briggs' long career, design genius, and eventual legacy will no doubt help rekindle and inspire preservation efforts.A. Jefferson Lewis III, president, Southern Garden History SocietyCharleston Gardens and the Landscape Legacy of Loutrel Briggs is about the landscape architect most responsible for the look and livability of Charleston's gardens. It is also a call to action to preserve these exquisitely calibrated spaces. Briggs' use of carefully framed views, easy flow of formal spaces, and exquisite attention to detail and planting defined gardening for a city justly proud of its past. Now these twentieth-century gems are threatened. Cothran's work is beautifully presented. This book sets the stage for a revival of interest in preserving Charleston's important legacy.Bill Noble, director of preservation, Garden ConservancyLoutrel Briggs contributed to Charleston's twentieth-century garden renaissance by preserving and renewing many historic gardens and by extending Charleston's unique landscape idiom into new spaces, always with respect for the city's culture and traditions. Much of his work in public and private properties throughout the historic district survives and is cherished today. Gardeners, historians, and all who appreciate the charm of Charleston gardens will be grateful for this careful study of his legacy. What James Cothran has achieved is no less than preservation through documentation.Katharine S. Robinson, executive director, Historic Charleston FoundationThe garden design legacy of Loutrel Briggs is captured through James Cothran's passionate investigation and detailed exploration of Briggs' landscape style, tried and true plant selections, and visionary efforts toward  historic preservation. Cothran provides fascinating details regarding Briggs' desire to focus much of his career on the Charleston landscape, which ultimately has had such a lasting impact on his adopted city.Besty Steele, president, Garden Club of South Carolina