Thornton, William, 1759-1828

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William Thornton, architect, inventor, and public official, was born in the Virgin Islands on May 20, 1759, of English parents. He came to the United States in 1787 and became a citizen in 1788. On September 12, 1794 Thornton was appointed one of the commissioners of the new federal city of Washington. He championed his own design for the Capitol and the north wing had been constructed in accordance with his ideas by the time Congress removed to Washington in 1800. In 1802 Congress abolished the board of commissioners and Thornton lost his official connection with the Capitol. Thomas Jefferson, however, appointed him clerk in the State Department, in charge of patents. Thornton is credited with having saved the Patent Office from destruction on the capture of Washington in 1814. He continued in charge of the Patent Office until his death on March 28, 1828.
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Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Thomas Jefferson papers, 1775-1825, 1775-1825 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Sparks, Jared, 1789-1866. Jared Sparks collection of American manuscripts, 1582-1843 Houghton Library
referencedIn American Philosophical Society Archives, 1743-1984 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Thornton, William, 1759-1828. The U.S. Capitol [model]. Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
creatorOf Thornton, William, 1759-1828. Letter, 1808 July 22, "City of Washington," [D.C.] to Thomas Jefferson, n.p. William & Mary Libraries
referencedIn Records Relating to Land and Water Property, 1791–1889 National Archives at Washington, D.C
referencedIn Letter from Anonymous National Archives at College Park
referencedIn United States Commissioners of the City of Washington records, 1791-1869 Library of Congress
creatorOf Pope, John Russell, 1874-1937. Washington, D.C. [model] : Jefferson Memorial, U.S. Capitol, Wash. Monument. Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
referencedIn American Philosophical Society Historical and Literary Committee, American Indian Vocabulary Collection, 1784-1828 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Du Pont, Eleuthera Bradford, 1873-1953,. The Eleuthera Bradford du Pont Collection, 1799-1834. Hagley Museum & Library
creatorOf Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826. Lantern slides, ca. 1910 [manuscript]. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Thornton, William, 1759-1828. Capitol Hill [model]. Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
creatorOf Madison, James, 1751-1836. Papers of James Madison [manuscript], 1765-1836, n.d. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Thorton, William, 1759-1828. The Octagon [model]. Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
referencedIn History and Drawings of the Octagon House, ca. 1916–ca. 1916 National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Du Pont, Bauduy & Company. Records, 1809-1815. Hagley Museum & Library
referencedIn Senior Scholar Records, 2001–2005 National Archives at College Park
creatorOf United States. Commissioners of the City of Washington. Letter : Washington, to George Washington, Mount Vernon, 1798 Oct. 18. George Washington University
referencedIn American Philosophical Society Archives. Record Group IIb, 1807-1825 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Anna Maria Brodeau Thornton Papers, 1793-1861 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Promissory Notes, August 9, 1800–August 26, 1800 National Archives at Washington, D.C
creatorOf Thornton, William, 1759-1828. Letter : Patent Office, to Caesar A. Rodney, Wilmington, Del., 1810 June 28. George Washington University
creatorOf Thornton, William, 1759-1828. [United States Capitol Calendar] [model]. Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
referencedIn Octagon, Washington, D.C. : vertical file. Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
referencedIn Scott, Gustavus, 1753-1800. Gustavus Scott correspondence, 1797-1800. Library of Congress
referencedIn Peale-Sellers families. Correspondence, 1686-1963. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Du Pont, Pierre S. (Pierre Samuel), 1870-1954,. The Longwood Manuscripts, 1438-1954. Hagley Museum & Library
referencedIn Burwell family. Papers, 1736-1874 [microform]. Virginia Historical Society Library
referencedIn Thomas Jefferson Papers, 1606-1943, (bulk 1775-1826) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Cass Gilbert Papers, 1841-1961, (bulk 1886-1934) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Wright, W. Lloyd (William Lloyd), 1876-1950,. W. Lloyd Wright papers. George Washington University
creatorOf Thornton, William, 1759-1828. [United States Capitol] [model]. Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
referencedIn Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826. Appointment of justices of the peace for Washington and Alexandria Counties in the District of Columbia [manuscript] 1802 April 27. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Thornton, William, 1759-1828. Capitol, Washington [model]. Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
creatorOf Clay, Henry, 1777-1852. Papers of Henry Clay [manuscript], 1798-1934. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Rotch family. Rotch family papers, 1684-1968. Library of Congress
creatorOf William Thornton Papers, 1741-1865 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Thornton, William, 1759-1828. U.S. Capitol, Washington D.C, Washington Monument [model]. Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
referencedIn Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826. Papers, 1775-1825. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Ringgold, Tench. Tench Ringgold papers, 1813-1833. Historical Society of Washington, D.C.
referencedIn Du Pont, Eleuthère Irénée, 1771-1834. Papers, 1782-1838. Hagley Museum & Library
creatorOf William Thornton papers, [ca. 1741-1804], Circa 1741-1804 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn The Versatile Dr. Thornton, 1976 History of Medicine Division. National Library of Medicine
referencedIn Robinson, Jeremy, 1787-1834. Jeremy Robinson papers, 1806-1832. Library of Congress
referencedIn Letter from Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson to President George Washington National Archives at College Park
referencedIn The Capitol, Washington, D.C. [realia]. Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
creatorOf Woodlawn Plantation Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
referencedIn Du Pont de Nemours, Pierre Samuel, 1739-1817. Papers, 1757-1836. Hagley Museum & Library
creatorOf Thornton, William, 1759-1828. Washington, D.C. [model]. Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
creatorOf Washington, George, 1732-1799. Letter, 1799 October 7, Mount Vernon, Virginia, to William Thornton, Federal City. Connecticut Historical Society
referencedIn American Philosophical Society Archives. Record Group IIa, 1743-1806 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Wiprud, Theodore, 1891-1978. The versatile Dr. Thornton, 1976. National Library of Medicine
creatorOf Thornton, William, 1759-1828. Papers, 1792-1827. Historical Society of Washington, D.C.
creatorOf Thornton, William, 1759-1828. [United States Capitol and Washington Memorial] [model]. Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
creatorOf Durham, Harriet Frorer, d. 1991. William Thornton Research Papers, 1673-1963. Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
creatorOf Papers relating to the administration of the U.S. Patent Office during the superintendency of William Thornton, 1802-1828, 1785-1848 (inclusive), [microform] Yale University Library
creatorOf Thornton, William, 1759-1828. The Capitol, Washington, D.C. [model] : White House : Washington's Mansion, Mount Vernon, V.A. : Union Station : Lincoln Memorial. Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
referencedIn American Philosophical Society Library. Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection. 1668-1983. American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Thornton, William, 1759-1828. Letter : to Mr. [Leeton?], [1818] July 15. George Washington University
referencedIn Christopher Van Deventer papers 1799-1925 Van Deventer, Christopher, papers William L. Clements Library
referencedIn Stevens family. Papers, 1663-1959. New Jersey Historical Society Library
referencedIn Jennings, Annie Burr, 1855-1939,. Annie Burr Jennings collection, 1775-1930 (inclusive). Yale University Library
creatorOf Thornton, William, 1759-1828. Letter : City of Washington, to Hyde de Neuville, New York, 1819 Sept. 25. George Washington University
creatorOf David McNeely Stauffer papers Archives of American Art
creatorOf Fitch, John, 1743-1798. John Fitch papers, 1783-1854. Library of Congress
creatorOf Thornton, William, 1759-1828. Letter : City of Washington, to William Young, 1817 Oct. 30. George Washington University
referencedIn Thorton, William, 1759-1828. The Octagon [model]. Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
referencedIn William Thornton : vertical file. Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
creatorOf Thornton, William, 1759-1828. Papers, [ca. 1741-1804]. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Letter from Thomas Johnson to President George Washington National Archives at College Park
referencedIn General Records of the Department of State, 1763 - 2002. Letters Received, 1789 - 1906 National Archives Library, National Archives Records Administration
creatorOf Van Deventer, Christopher, d. 1838. Christopher Van Deventer papers, 1799-1925. William L. Clements Library
creatorOf Thornton, William, 1759-1828. The Capitol Washington D.C. [model]. Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
referencedIn Peale-Sellers family collection, 1686-1963 American Philosophical Society
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associatedWith Durham, Harriet Frorer, d. 1991. person
associatedWith Edison, Thomas A., (Thomas Alva), 1847-1931 person
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correspondedWith Ellicott, Andrew, 1754-1820 person
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correspondedWith Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790 person
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associatedWith Genth, F. A., (Frederick Augustus), 1820-1893 person
correspondedWith Gilbert, Cass, 1859-1934. person
associatedWith Gray, Asa, 1810-1888 person
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correspondedWith Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826. person
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associatedWith Latrobe, Benjamin Henry, 1764-1820 person
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associatedWith Patterson, Robert, 1743-1824. person
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associatedWith Poinsett, Joel Roberts, 1779-1851 person
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correspondedWith Robinson, Jeremy, 1787-1834. person
associatedWith Rodney, C. A. (Caesar Augustus), 1772-1824. person
associatedWith Rotch family. family
associatedWith Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813 person
associatedWith Schoolcraft, Henry Rowe, 1793-1864 person
correspondedWith Scott, Gustavus, 1753-1800. person
associatedWith Seybert, Adam, 1773-1825 person
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associatedWith Sparks, Jared, 1789-1866 person
associatedWith Stauffer, David McNeely, 1845-1913. person
correspondedWith Stevens family. family
associatedWith Stevens, Henry person
associatedWith Sully, Thomas, 1783-1872 person
associatedWith Thomson, Charles, 1729-1824 person
associatedWith Thornton, Anna Maria Brodeau, 1775?-1865. person
associatedWith Thornton [family] family
associatedWith Thornton, Mrs. person
associatedWith Trumbull, John person
associatedWith Trumbull, John. person
associatedWith United States Capitol (Washington, D.C.) corporateBody
correspondedWith United States. Commissioners of the City of Washington. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Dept. of State. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Patent Office. corporateBody
associatedWith Van Deventer, Christopher, 1788-1838 person
associatedWith Van Deventer, Christopher, d. 1838. person
associatedWith Volney, C.-F (Constantin-François), 1757-1820. person
associatedWith Volney, C. -F., (Constantin François), 1757-1820 person
associatedWith Washington, George, 1732-1799. person
associatedWith Waterton, Charles, 1782-1865 person
associatedWith Wayne, Anthony person
correspondedWith Wilkinson, Thomas, 1751-1836 person
associatedWith Wiprud, Theodore, 1891-1978. person
correspondedWith Wirt, William, 1772-1834 person
associatedWith Wistar, Caspar, 1761-1818. person
associatedWith Withers, Michael. person
associatedWith Wright, W. Lloyd (William Lloyd), 1876-1950, person
associatedWith Young, William. person
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Birth 1759-05-20

Death 1828-03-28

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