William Thornton | |
|---|---|
 Portrait by Gilbert Stuart, 1804 | |
| Architect of the Capitol | |
| In office 1793–1802 | |
| President | George Washington John Adams Thomas Jefferson |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Benjamin Henry Latrobe |
| 5th Commissioner of the Federal City | |
| In office September 12, 1794 – July 1, 1802 | |
| Preceded by | David Stuart |
| Succeeded by | Office retired |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 20, 1759 Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands |
| Died | March 28, 1828 (aged 68) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Resting place | Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C. |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Edinburgh; University of Aberdeen |
| Profession | Architect |
| Known for | United States Capitol |
| Awards | Magellanic Premium (1792) |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | District of Columbia Militia[1] |
| Years of service | 1807-1815 |
| Rank | Captain |
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.
- ^ Clark, Allen C. (1915). "Doctor and Mrs. William Thornton". Records of the Columbia Historical Society, Washington, D.C. 18: 144–208. JSTOR 40066870. Retrieved 22 April 2022.