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photo: Carol M. Highsmith
Some of the greatest architects of the 19th century contributed to the design of the U.S. Capitol, including William Thornton, Benjamin Henry Latrobe, and Charles Bulfinch. The AIA’s second president, Thomas U. Walter, designed the current, cast-iron dome and oversaw its construction during the Civil War.
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This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on February 3, 2007 4:11 PM.
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Comments (5)
Should probably be number 1. It is the seat of our government, has been burned and gutten by invasion, and the dome was completed during the Civil War.
Posted by Anonymous | February 9, 2007 1:02 AM
Posted on February 9, 2007 01:02
Meigs should not be credited with having any design responsibility for the Capitol expansion. He was a Corp of Engineers project manager and persistently interfered with Thomas Walter, the architect for that work. Meigs could be credited with engaging artists and sculptors to adorn the building. But he did that as an administrator, not a designer. Meigs tried to claim credit for designing the dome by saying that Walter was only drawing his ideas. He even went so far as placing his name on Walter's drawings. His claim was a phony one for those who knew Walter knew that he was probably the most competent architect of his day, even in the engineering disciplines, as well as the architectural. Finally, to get Meigs out of Walter's way, he was transfered to an island off Florida.
Incidentally Thomas Walter was the AIA's second president, not the third, and he actually founded the AIA, not just once, but twice!
Posted by Vernon Reed, FAIA | February 12, 2007 5:47 PM
Posted on February 12, 2007 17:47
Vernon,
Thanks again. I've made the change to Thomas U. Walter. I obviously got Walter and Hunt mixed up. And yes, Walter founded the American Institution (not Institute) of Architects in 1837(?), and he always thought that the AIA should consider that year its founding date.
Posted by Andy | February 13, 2007 10:11 AM
Posted on February 13, 2007 10:11
An edit - William Thornton, not Thorton.
Posted by Leslie Buhler | February 13, 2007 2:17 PM
Posted on February 13, 2007 14:17
Thanks Leslie.
Posted by Andy | February 13, 2007 2:45 PM
Posted on February 13, 2007 14:45