Dr. William Thornton
Dr. William Thornton was an amateur architect who is honored as the "first architect" because his design for the Capitol was accepted by President George Washington in 1793. He received $500 and a building lot in the city of Washington for his composition. He held no government position as a result of winning the architectural competition.
Portrait of Dr. William Thornton
George B. Matthews, after Gilbert Stuart
Oil on canvas, 29-1/2" x 24-1/2" 1930
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