James Hoban's Work in the city: 1797-1801

 More Excerpts from Through a Fiery Trial




















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Table of Contents: Case of the Ingenious A

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The Case of the "Ingenious A" Or Why William Thornton Didn't Design the Octagon House and Isn't the "First Architect of the Capitol"  By Bob Arnebeck Figure 1: Described as Thornton's first take on the Octagon design, based on an entry in Mrs. Thornton's diary, it is most likely his design for his own house to rival the Octagon. (Library of Congress)   Introduction:  How Glenn Brown, an architect of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, helped his own career by making William Thornton the most famous American architect of the 18th century.  Chapter One:   A Tale of Two Properties (1755 to 1786) Lancaster, Tortola and a Scientific Education - The roots of Thornton's wealth, his Quaker education, medical degree and mentors  Chapter Two:   Going to Africa Via Boston (1786-1790) - His reaction to his Tortola slave plantation and his secret plan to take America's blacks to Africa; a philosophical career in Philadelphia with Fitch'...
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Introduction

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Table of Contents                                                                            The Doctor Examined, or Why William Thornton Did Not Design the Octagon House or the Capitol by Bob Arnebeck Introduction   1. William Thornton in 1804 In January 1793, Dr. William Thornton, who was just off a boat from Tortola, British Virgin Islands, drew the elevation and floor plan that won the design contest for the United States Capitol. The judge was President George Washington and Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson quickly fed his boss's enthusiasm. Not five months later, the latter told the former that they had been fooled by an amateur. What Thornton had designed could not be built. The thirty-three year old's sole professional credential was an M.D. from a Scottish medical school. J...
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Chapter 12: Designing the Octagon

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The Doctor Examined, or Why William Thornton Did Not Design the Octagon House or the Capitol by Bob Arnebeck Table of contents Chapter 12: Designing the Octagon 132. 18th century dragoon In July 1798, President Adams asked the General to once again be a general, and r aise a provisional army to defend the country from possible French aggression. John Tayloe III promptly volunteered and the General so informed the secretary of war who would then see that the president included Tayloe in the long list of officers sent to the Senate for confirmation. The General did not doubt that it would give the president "pleasure to find Gentlemen in his situation, and Independent fortunes, stepping forward at such a Crisis with a tender of their Services." To the secretary of war, the General described Tayloe as "among the most wealthy & respectable men in this State; active, zealous & attentive to whatever he undertakes...." It took over five months for Adams to forwa...
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