Wright was first apprenticed to a silversmith in Utica, New York, then came to New York City in 1823 and established a partnership with the painter Asher Brown Durand (1796–1886) until 1827, named Durand and Wright, Engravers.[2]
Together with Samuel Morse, Durand and others, Wright was one of the "First Fifteen" founders of the National Academy of Design in 1825.[2]
Charles Cushing Wright has been called "The First American Medalist".[3] He both designed and cut his medals[4] 17 of which are currently in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.[5]
