The American painter, designer, teacher and commercial artist – his story through archive.

Melvin D Buckner studied at the Carnegie Institute, Art Students League, George Washington University gaining a Bachelor’s of Art degree in Education

He was an instructor at the University of Puerto Rico, 1945-46. Art Director for the American Chemical Society, Washington, DC.  Vice-president of the Society of Washington Artists in the late 1950’s and Production Designer of the play, Six Characters in Search of an Author, and others.

Melvin exhibited at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC in March 1966:

Melvin Buckner was born in Washington DC. He received his art training at Carnegie Tech, Phillips Gallery School of Art,  Art Students’ League in New York, The George Washington University and The University of Puerto Rico. Mr Buckner has exhibited at The Carnegie Institute, The Phillips Gallery, The Corcoran Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution and The Franz Bader Gallery. His work is represented in over 40 private collections. Mr Buckner is an artist-designer with The American Chemical Society in Washington.right: Melvin D. Buckner born 1915, Washington DC USA, died 2010, Suffolk, England, the artist and left: Edwin Reid Morrison born 1916, Florida USA, died 2000, Suffolk England. I am currently unravelling their extraordinary story and extensive archive. They were men of extensive letters that reveal an amazing life. It is an illuminating and incredible insight into American / British post-war and recent life. I am currently digitising, researching and transcribing. Soon it will be available on-line.

Melvin and his partner, Edwin Reid Morrison, lived in Clare, Suffolk, England in the latter part of their life and died there.

Melvin Daniel Buckner (1915-2010)	Edwin Reid Morrison (1916-2000)

Through a massive archive of 100’s of pieces of paper, letters, many photographs and portraits, certificates and exhibition material we learn of their fascinating life and loves before, during and after the Second World War. This collection is currently being scanned and, where appropriate, transcribed and uploaded here on these web pages.