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Thornton, Dr. William
architect.
The first advertisements in the competition for the Capitol at Washington were published in March, 1792. In October of that year Dr. William Thornton of the island of Tortola in the West Indies wrote to the commissioners asking permission to compete. His plans were submitted early in 1793, were much admired by the commissioners, and April 5th were approved by President Washington. The designs which were considered second in point of merit were those of Stephen Hallet, who was placed in charge of the construction of Thorton;s design under the general direction of James Hoban, architect of the White House. Hallet was discharged Nov. 15, 1794. Sept. 12, 1794, the President appointed Thornton to be one of the commissioners in charge of the District of Columbia, and he had general supervision of the Capitol until his office was abolished in 1802. At this time the north wing of the older part of the Capitol, now occupied by the Supreme Court, was complete, and the foundation and basement story of the south wing were partially laid. The exterior of this part of the building is still much as Thornton left it. After retiring Thornton was placed in charge of the Pension office and remained there until his death.
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