Biography of 	DE BUYS, Rathbone E., Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by 	Mike Miller August 1998

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De Buys, Rathbone Emile, Ph. B., a member of the American Institute of
Architects.  In Louisiana the name of De Buys has long been identified 
with the best interests of the state in commercial, professional, and 
social activities.  The family lineage is traced in an unbroken line for
many generations and always it is found in places of responsibility and 
marked by high endeavor and worthy achievement.  No more honorable name 
adorns the annals of the Crescent City, and among those who now bear it 
worthily, is Rathbone E. De Buys, the well-known architect of New Orleans.
He was born in that city Dec. 1, 1874, and is a son of James Gaspard and Stella
(Rathbone) De Buys, both natives of New Orleans, the former or whom was
born Dee. 10, 1850, and the latter Feb. 19, 1855.  The Rathbone family is
also one of much antiquity and eminent respectability.  After acquiring 
the necessary preliminary education, Mr. De Buys entered Tulane university,
from which he was graduated in 1896 with the degree of B. E. in civil
engineering.  This was followed in the succeeding year by the B. E. in
architecture.  In 1897 he received the degree of Ph. B. from Yale
university.  At the last named he was a student in the Sheffield and the
art schools.  Because of a certificate of merit in military science
received from Yale, Mr. De Buys is eligible to appointment as first
lieutenant in the regular army of the United States.  Upon graduating he
was appointed assistant city engineer of New Orleans by civil service
examination.  After one year in this position he resigned it to take up the
practice of architecture, which he has pursued continuously to the present
time.  That he is especially fitted for this calling is evidenced by the
great variety and high quality of his work.  Among the leading buildings 
of the city with which his name is identified may be named Loyola 
university, Stanley Thomas hall, "Gesu" McDermott Memorial church,
Marquette hall, Nicholas Burke Seismograph, U. S. Immigration station, 
Marine barracks and officers quarters, City Bank & Trust building, New 
Orleans Country club, Tulane gymnasium, Richardson Memorial dormitory, 
Henderson Sugar Refinery, and the residences of Nelson Whitney and 
Mrs. John A. Morris.  Mr. De Buys is a member of the American Institute of 
Architects, and socially he belongs to the Elks and to the Boston, New Orleans 
Tennis, and Rigolets clubs.  In politics he is a democrat, and in addition to 
the position of assistant city engineer, he has been a member of the city 
building code commission and of the civil service examining board.  In religion 
he adheres to the principles of the Catholic church.  His marriage with Miss
Corinne von Meysenberg was solemnized Feb. 2, 1901, and they are the
parents of the following children,  Alice Olga,  Maxine Elinor, and Alfred
Rivalier.  Mrs. De Buys is a daughter of Baron Ernst von Meysenberg by his
wife, whose maiden name was Louise Quentell.

Source:  Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events,
Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form, volume 3, p. 754.
Edited by Alcee Fortier, Lit. D.  Published in 1914, by Century Historical
Association.