Historedia
Person

William Thornton

Events
2
Episodes
6
Years
1793–1815

Every event in Historedia whose sources name William Thornton, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. Cornerstone of the US Capitol laid

    1793

    Role: First architect of the Capitol, whose design was approved before the ceremony

    1. April 5, 1793 · The planned United States Capitol in the federal cityThornton's design approved for the Capitol

      Washington's letter of April 5, 1793 officially approved Thornton's design, making him the Capitol's first architect, months before the cornerstone laying.

    2. September 18, 1793 · Site of the United States Capitol in the new Federal City on the Potomac RiverWashington lays the Capitol cornerstone

      President Washington, with eight fellow Freemasons in regalia, laid the Capitol's cornerstone, made by silversmith Caleb Bentley, on September 18, 1793.

  2. Event of 1814: Burning of Washington during the War of 1812, British troops set fire to landmar

    1814–1815

    Role: Architect and Superintendent of Patents

    1. August 24, 1814 · BladensburgBattle of Bladensburg

      American forces were defeated on August 24, 1814, allowing British troops to march on Washington, D.C.

    2. August 24, 1814 · Washington, D.C.Burning of Public Buildings

      British soldiers and sailors set fire to the Capitol, White House, and Navy Yard on the evening of August 24, 1814.

    3. August 24, 1814 · Washington, D.C.Saving of the Patent Office

      William Thornton successfully preserved the Patent Office Building from destruction during the burning of Washington.

    4. February 3, 1815 – December 1815 · Washington, D.C.Construction of Old Brick Capitol

      Washington property owners funded the Old Brick Capitol in February 1815 to ensure the federal government remained in the area; Congress began meeting there in December 1815.

Sources

  1. United States Capitol Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-29
  2. Burning of Washington Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-01