Since the laying of the Capitol Cornerstone in 1793, 11 men have been charged with the construction, growth and care of the United States Capitol and the associated buildings and grounds.
Dr. William Thornton, whose design for the Capitol was selected by President George Washington after a national architectural competition in 1793, is honored as the first Architect of the Capitol. Dr. Thornton’s assignment was limited to designing and supervising the construction of the new Capitol, under the direction of the Commissioners of the Federal District and the President of the United States. However, the role and responsibilities of the Architect have changed and grown as additional activities have been assigned to the office by Congress. Today, in light of the widespread activities under the jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol, the administrative function of the office is as important as the architectural and engineering responsibilities.
Design selected by President George Washington, 1793; appointed a commissioner of the federal city by President Washington, 1794, and served until 1802
