William Thornton
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William Thornton was an American physician, inventor, painter and architect who designed the United States Capitol. He also served as the first Architect of the Capitol and first Superintendent of the
Portrait by Gilbert Stuart, 1804
Ruins of the Thornton Plantation at Tortola
Thornton's original Capitol Building design
Thornton's submission for the Capitol, officially approved by Washington in 1793
United States Capitol
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The United States Capitol, often called the Capitol or the Capitol Building, is the seat of the United States Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government. It is located on Capitol Hill
William Thornton
…William Thornton (May 20, 1759 – March 28, 1828) was an American physician, inventor, painter and architect who designed the United States Capitol. He also served as the first Architect of the Capitol and first Superintendent of the United States Patent Office. From an early age, William Thornton…
The west front of the U.S. Capitol in 2007
The west front of the United States Capitol in 2024
1800 painting of the Capitol