Ralph A. Vaughn (1907–2000) was an African-American academic, architect and film set designer. Born in Washington, D.C., he was an assistant professor at Howard University before moving to Los Angeles, California, where he designed many buildings, houses and a synagogue. He was also a film set designer. He was one of the first African-American architects in Los Angeles.
Early life
Ralph Augustine Vaughn was born on April 24, 1907, in Washington, D.C.[1] His father, Roscoe I. Vaughn, was a teacher and architect in Washington, D.C. He had three siblings.[2]
Vaughn worked as a draftsman for Albert Cassell, another African-American architect who designed buildings on the campus of Howard University. He then worked as a draftsman for the United States Department of Agriculture Resettlement Administration for two years. He also worked as a consultant for Hilyard Robinson.[2]
He became a tenured assistant professor in 1935.[1] Meanwhile, he was hired by Paul R. Williams, another African-American architect and fellow member of Omega Psi Phi, as a chief craftsman for the Langston Terrace Dwellings.[2]
He moved to Los Angeles in 1937 to work full-time for Williams. During that time, he helped design the Saks Fifth Avenue store and the MCA Inc. headquarters in Beverly Hills. He also helped design the private residences of actors Bert Lahr, Tyrone Power and Bill Robinson. He was made redundant four years later, in 1941, as architectural commissions came to a standstill when the United States joined the war effort.[2]