The American Academy in Rome developed out of the pioneering spirit of an American artistic Renaissance at the turn of the century. At the time, the predominate view held that classical and renaissance styles in architecture represented the most refined taste and were best suited to meeting the future needs of America. The Academy was considered to be the final stage in the education of promising young Americans. Between its founding in 1894 and World War II, some 46 Fellows in architecture and landscape architecture studied at the Academy. This book presents the first historical overview of the education the Fellows received, placing their work in the context of the time, and discussing their relationship and changing obligations to the institution. The text is accompanied by 150 outstanding architectural renderings, many of which have not been reproduced before.