Duncan Phyfe (1768-1854) was one of 19th century America?s leading furniture makers.
Born Duncan Fife near Loch Fannich in Ross and Cromarty, Scotland, he immigrated to Albany, New York, at age 16 and served as a cabinetmaker?s apprentice. In 1792, he changed the spelling of his name, moved to New York City, and opened his own business in 1794, which eventually employed over a hundred workers. He became known as one of America's leading cabinetmakers by selling furniture for relatively low prices. Although Phyfe?s work encompassed a broad range of the period?s classical styles, Empire, Sheraton, Regency and French Classical among them, he is most famous for his simple style, a reaction to the imported French designs popular at the time. Duncan Phyfe's furniture can be seen in the White House Green Room.
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