John McDevitt was born in the Cotswolds, England. He attended Stroud, Cheltenham, Chelsea, and Nottingham Schools of Art, culminating in graduate work at Hertfordshire College of Art and Psychology. A move to the U.S. in the late 80's eventually led to the establishment of a workshop in DUMBO, Brooklyn in 1992 where he continues to work today.

Early attempts at making metal furniture quickly revealed the need to develop a specific set of skills. Subsequent study in New Mexico with Frank Turley, along with part time courses at The Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, helped bridge this gap.

McDevitt's long association with antique dealers Ben Izett and Jonathan Burden has been fruitful in affording him exposure to a rich and varied range of quality furniture. He continues to strive to uphold the implicit values of furniture making, embracing its traditional emphasis on function, proportion and material.

His legacy is carried on by his son Jack who shares a long history of devotion to the craft. They have worked together for the last ten-plus years, collaborating on new designs while continuing to hold on to the traditions and practices that came before them. Visit jack-mcdevitt.com for more information and Jack’s personal pieces.