More on James Hoban 1792-1796

 Excerpts from Through a Fiery Trail

 

Hoban and Thornton faced similar challenges. Thornton's rhetoric earned him posthumous fame. A semblance of his prize winning design was built but contemporaries credited Latrobe and Bulfinch for what was built. Hoban built his design and was ahead of schedule which was a notable achievement. However, the President's house went against the republican cant of the day and there was no way Hoban could have been ennobled for his achievement. He was also decidedly middle class, earned his living, and being Irish and Catholic did not help. Unfortunately his papers burned in a house fire and he did not write his memoirs and worry about his legacy. 

The excerpts below were not written to enhance his reputation. Indeed, they track his survival skills. He was the rival architect that Thornton could not banish. Click the images below to read the pages.


























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