Architect, Civic Leader. Educated in England, Austin moved to the United States in the late 1880s and worked as a draftsman for an architect in Philadelphia from 1891–1892, before relocating to San Francisco where he worked a draftsman from 1892-1895. He moved to Los Angeles in 1895, and became one of the city’s leading architects. Among structures he designed were the Fremont Hotel (1902), the Hollywood Masonic Temple (1921), Guaranty Building (1923), Shrine Auditorium (1925-1926), Los Angeles City Hall (1928, one of four architects, along with John Parkinson), Monrovia High School (1928), Memorial Branch Library in Los Angeles (1930), Beverly Hills City Hall (1932), Griffith Park Observatory (1933-1935) the UCLA Humanities Building (1953) as well as many private residences. Several of his structures have been added to the National Register of Historic Places. Austin, who was also active in civic affairs in Los Angeles, was elected President of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce in January 1930 and also served as the President of the State Board of Architectural Examiners, was a member of the National Labor Board, President of the Southern California Historical Society, President of the Jonathan Club and was a 32nd degree Mason. In 1949, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce presented him with its first ever Achievement Award and in 1963, Los Angeles Mayor Sam Yorty presented Austin with a scroll commending him “for serving in an outstanding manner as a distinguished architect”. (bio by: Louis M.)