- Benjamin Latrobe
Benjamin Henry Boneval Latrobe (
May 1 ,1764 -September 3 ,1820 ) was a British-born Americanarchitect best known for his design of theUnited States Capitol , as well as his design of Baltimore's cathedral. Latrobe came to the United States in 1796, settling first inVirginia and then relocating toPhiladelphia where he set up his practice. In 1803, he was hired as Surveyor of the Public Buildings of the United States, and spent much of the next fourteen years working on projects inWashington, D.C. Later in his life, Latrobe worked on a waterworks project inNew Orleans , where he ended up dying in 1820 fromyellow fever . He has been called the "Father of American Architecture".Biography
Early life
Benjamin Henry Latrobe was born in 1764 at the
Fulneck Moravian Settlement , nearPudsey inWest Yorkshire ,England , toReverend Benjamin Latrobe and Anna Margaretta Antes.Latrobe (1905), p.VII] His mother was born inPennsylvania , where her father (Henry Antes) was a wealthy landowner who had an interest in Moravian missionaries.Hamlin (1955), p. 6] Margaretta was sent to England, where she attended school at Fulneck. [Hamlin (1955), p. 7] Latrobe's father was responsible for all Moravian schools and establishments in Britain, and had an extensive circle of friends in the higher ranks of society. His mother inspired curiosity and interest in America, and from his father, Latrobe saw the importance of education and scholarship and the value of social exchange. [Hamlin (1955), p. 8]In 1776, at the age of 12, Latrobe was sent away to the Moravian School, a
seminary , at Niesky inSilesia on the borders ofSaxony andPoland . [cite book |title=Benjamin Henry Latrobe & the Development of Internal Improvements in the New Republic, 1796-1820 |author=Formwalt, Lee W |year=1981 |publisher=ِAyer Publishing] In 1785, at age 18, Latrobe spent several months traveling inGermany , and then he joined thePrussia n army.Latrobe (1905), p.X] While serving in the army, he became close friends with a distinguished officer in the army of the United States. Latrobe was severely injured while serving in the army, and thereafter he left the army. After recovering from his injuries, he embarked on a continentalGrand Tour , visiting easternSaxony ,Paris ,Italy , and other places.Hamlin (1955), p. 16] Through his education and travels, Latrobe was fluent in not only English, but also mastered German, French, Greek, andLatin , and knew Italian and Spanish at advanced levels.Hamlin (1955), p. 17]When he returned to England in 1784, he entered apprenticeship to
John Smeaton the engineer (ofEddystone Lighthouse fame). Then in 1787 (or 1788), he entered apprenticeship with the eminent neoclassical architect S.P. Cockerell where he served for a brief time before leaving to practice the profession.Latrobe (1905), p. XI] Latrobe supervised construction of a canal inSurrey , among other projects. [Frary (1969), p. 63] In 1790, Latrobe was hired as Surveyor of the Public Offices in London, though also continued his private practice. Latrobe was commissioned to designHammerwood Park , nearEast Grinstead inSussex , which was his first independent work in 1792. [cite web |url=http://www.hammerwood.mistral.co.uk/latrobe.htm |title=Benjamin Henry Latrobe |publisher=Hammerwood Park] In 1793, he also designedAshdown House which was built nearby.cite book |title=A Biographical Dictionary of English Architects, 1660-1840 |author=Colvin, H. M. Colvin |publisher=Harvard University Press |year=1954 |pages=p. 357]In 1790, Latrobe married Lydie Sellon and had two children before she died in 1793. Lydia had inherited her father's wealth, which in turn was to be left to the children.Hamlin (1955), p. 30] The money was to be paid through a trust with the children's uncles who ended up never giving the inheritance to the children. In 1795, after bankruptcy, his wife's death, and losing custody of his child, he emigrated to America. After a four month journey, Latrobe arrived in
Norfolk, Virginia onMarch 20 ,1796 .Latrobe (1905), p.XIV]United States
thumb|An_engraving_(circa_1807)_by_George E. Blake of one of Latrobe's Water Works buildings in Centre Square.] Latrobe remained in Virginia, spending time in Norfolk andRichmond, Virginia , until November 1798 when he moved toPhiladelphia . In Virginia, Latrobe became friends withBushrod Washington ,Edmund Randolph , and other notable figures.Latrobe (1905), p.XVII] One of Latrobe's first works in the United States was the State Penitentiary in Richmond, which was built in 1797/98. The penitentiary included many innovative ideas inpenal reform , espoused byThomas Jefferson and other figures, including cells arranged in a semicircle that allowed for easysurveillance , as well as improved living conditions forsanitation andventilation . [cite book |title=A Concise History of American Architecture |author=Roth, Leland M. |publisher=Westview Press |year=1980 |pages=p. 67] Latrobe also pioneered the use of solitary confinement in the Richmond penitentiary.Frary (1969), p. 64] Latrobe also worked on the Green Spring mansion near Williamsburg, which had been built by Governor SirWilliam Berkeley in the 1600s, but was in disrepair after theAmerican Revolutionary War . [cite web |url=http://www.nps.gov/jame/historyculture/green-spring-plantation.htm |title=Historic Jamestown, Green Spring Plantation |publisher=National Park Service |accessdate=2007-07-07]Latrobe was visiting Philadelphia in March 1798, when he met the Bank of Pennsylvania president, Samuel L. Fox and suggested a design for a new bank building. Months later, Latrobe was commissioned to design the Bank of Pennsylvania (1799-1801), which was the first example of
Greek Revival architecture in the United States.cite web |url=http://www.philadelphiabuildings.org/pab/app/ar_display.cfm/25618 |title= Biography from the American Architects and Buildings database |publisher=Philadelphia Architects and Buildings] The Bank of Pennsylvania building was since demolished in 1870. This commission is what convinced him to set up his practice in Philadelphia, where he developed his reputation.Tatum (1961}, p. 59] Latrobe was also hired to design theFairmount Water Works in Philadelphia. The Pump House, located at Center Square, was designed by Latrobe in a Greek Revival style. [Tatum (1961}, p. 58] Latrobe complained in jest that after building the Philadelphia Waterworks and the Bank of Pennsylvania that the whole town copied him; his influence on public architecture endured. As a young architect, Robert Mills worked as an assistant with Latrobe from 1803 until 1808 when he set up his own practice.Tatum (1961), p. 64]In addition to Greek Revival designs, Latrobe also used Gothic Revival designs in many of his works, including the 1799 design of "Sedgeley", a country mansion in Philadelphia. [Tatum (1961), p. 75] The Gothic Revival style in Latrobe's design of the Philadelphia Bank building, which was built in 1807 and demolished in 1836.Tatum (1961), p. 76]
While in Philadelphia, Latrobe married Mary Elizabeth Hazlehurst in 1800.
Influences
In his travels around
Europe and theUnited States Latrobe collected ideas and developedurban planning principles regarding how American cities should be designed and their location.Public health was a key consideration of Latrobe.Carter (1972), p. 136] Due to the way thewind blows, he believed that the eastern shores ofriver s were unhealthy and recommended cities be built on the western shores of rivers. He also suggestedcity block s be laid out as thin rectangles, with the long side of the blocks oriented east-west so that as many houses as possible could be facing in the southerly direction. For a city to succeed, he thought it needed to be established only in places with good prospects for commerce and industrial growth, and with a good water supply. Latrobe favored Classical orVitruvian designs, over Baroque designs.Washington, D.C.
In the United States, he soon achieved eminence as the first professional architect working in the country.cite book | first=Leland M. | last=Roth | year=1993 | title=Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History and Meaning | edition=First | publisher=Westview Press | location=Boulder, CO | id=ISBN 0-06-430158-3 | pages=117-8, 415] In 1803, Latrobe was hired as surveyor of the Public Buildings of the United States, and in 1804 became chief engineer in the
United States Navy . [Carter (1972), p. 128] Latrobe's major work was overseeing construction of theUnited States Capitol , but he also was responsible for numerous other projects in Washington.Latrobe was a friend of
Thomas Jefferson and likely influenced Jefferson's design for theUniversity of Virginia ; he wasAaron Burr 's preferred architect. He knew many of the principal people of his time, both illustrious - like presidents Jefferson andJames Monroe - and - ill-famed - likeNew Orleans architect/pirate Barthelemy Lafon . Latrobe's illustrated journals from his wide travels are a record of the young United States. Latrobe trained William Strickland in the art of architecture as there were no formal architecture schools in the United States at that time.Works
As chief surveyor, Latrobe was also responsible for the
Washington Canal .Carter (1972), p. 139] Latrobe faced bureaucratic hurdles in moving forward with the canal, with the Directors of the Company rejecting his request for stone locks.Carter (1972), p. 140] Instead, thecanal was built with wooden locks which were subsequently destroyed in a heavy storm in 1811. Latrobe also designed the main gate of theWashington Navy Yard .cite web |url=http://www.latrobefamily.com/gedpage/nti/nti00001.htm |title=Latrobe Family - Benjamin Henry Latrobe |author=Latrobe, Jr., John H. B.]Latrobe was involved in other transportation issues, aside from Washington Canal. He was consulted on construction of the Washington Bridge across the
Potomac River in a way that would not impede navigation and commerce to Georgetown.Formwalt (1980), p. 39] Road projects included building the Washington & Alexandria Turnpike which connected Washington with Alexandria, as well as a road connecting withFrederick, Maryland , and a third road, the Columbia Turnpike going through Bladensburg toBaltimore .Formwalt (1972), p. 41]Benjamin Latrobe was responsible for several projects, located around Lafayette Square, including St. John's Episcopal Church,
Decatur House , and theWhite House porticos. [cite web |url=http://www.decaturhouse.org/museum/spaces.htm |title=Public, Private and Service Spaces at Decatur House |publisher=Decatur House Museum] Private homes designed by Latrobe include commissions byJohn P. Van Ness andPeter Casanove .Formwalt (1980), p. 38]United States Capitol
Latrobe was hired in 1803 as superintendent of construction, to work on the
United States Capitol , with plans designed byWilliam Thornton and construction work already underway. [Frary (1969), pp. 60-61] Latrobe criticized the work done up to that point, and characterized it as "faulty construction" in an 1803 letter to Vice PresidentAaron Burr .Latrobe (1905), p. 117] Nonetheless, PresidentThomas Jefferson insisted that Latrobe follow Thornton's design for the Capitol.Dumbauld (1980), p. 75]Through much of Latrobe's time in Washington, he remained involved to some extent with his private practice and other projects in Philadelphia and elsewhere.Frary (1969), p. 69] His clerk of works, John Lenthal, often urged Latrobe to spend more time in Washington.
In June 1812, construction in the capital came to a halt with the outbreak of the
War of 1812 and the failure of theFirst Bank of the United States .Carter (1972), p. 141] During the war, Latrobe relocated toPittsburgh . Latrobe returned to Washington in 1815, asArchitect of the Capitol , charged with responsibility of rebuilding the Capitol after it was destroyed in the war. Latrobe was given more freedom in rebuilding the Capitol, to apply his own design elements for the interior.By 1817, Latrobe had provided President
James Monroe with complete drawings for the entire building.Carter (1972), p. 142] He resigned as Architect of the Capitol onNovember 20 ,1817 .Latrobe (1905), p. 150] Without this major commission, Latrobe faced difficulties and was forced intobankruptcy . Latrobe left Washington, forBaltimore in January 1818.Criticisms
Latrobe left Washington with pessimism, with the city's design contradicting many of his ideals. Latrobe disliked the Baroque-style plan for the city, and other aspects of L'Enfant's plan, and resented having to conform to Thornton's plans for the Capitol Building.Carter (1972), p. 149] One of the greatest problems with the overall city plan, in the view of Latrobe, was its vast interior distances.Carter (1972), p. 143] Latrobe considered the Washington Canal as a key factor that, if successful, could help alleviate this issue. Latrobe also had concerns about the city's economic potential. He argued for constructing a road connecting Washington with Frederick to the northwest to enhance economic commerce through Washington.
Later life
Baltimore
In the early 1800s, Latrobe was commissioned to build the first Roman Catholic Cathedral in the United States of America, by the U.S.A.'s first Roman Catholic Bishop, John Carroll. Construction of the
Baltimore Basilica was begun in 1806, and finally completed in 1821, after financial setbacks interrupted the building of the Cathedral for a number of years.Other works
In 1814 Latrobe partnered with
Robert Fulton in a steamship venture based at Pittsburgh. In 1811, the first Mississippi steamboat "New Orleans ", built in Pittsburgh, had as passengers Latrobe's daughter, and her husband, the steamboat's builder, Nicholas Roosevelt, a great uncle of U.S.A. PresidentTheodore Roosevelt . While in Pittsburgh, Latrobe designed and built a theatre for theCircus of Pepin and Breschard .As an
engineer , he worked with his son (Henry Sellon Boneval Latrobe ), for a scheme for steam powered pumps to help de-salt water forNew Orleans, Louisiana .Death
Latrobe died in 1820 from
yellow fever , while working inNew Orleans on the waterworks project. [cite web |url=http://www.latrobefamily.com/ |title=Latrobe Family |author=Latrobe, Jr. John H.B.] He was buried inSaint Louis Cemetery in New Orleans, where his son, Henry, was buried three years earlier after also dying from yellow fever.Works
Latrobe's many architectural works include:
* TheUnited States Capitol ,Washington, D.C.
* America's first Catholic Cathedral, theBasilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary ,Baltimore, Maryland
* The building known today asDavidge Hall , completed in 1812 inBaltimore, Maryland , part of theUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine , the oldest building in theNorthern Hemisphere in continuous use for medical education. [cite web |url=http://medschool.umaryland.edu/davidge.asp |title=About Davidge Hall |publisher=University of Maryland]
*University of Pennsylvania Medical School (demolished in 1874) - designed in collaboration with his apprentice, William Strickland.
*The Pope Villa (Lexington, Kentucky ) 326 Grosvenor Avenue
* Adena inChillicothe, Ohio
* The building known today as theTaft Museum of Art , originally the home ofMartin Baum (Cincinnati, Ohio )
* St. John's Church and Decatur House (Washington) [cite book |title=Washington, City and Capital: Federal Writers' Project |publisher=Works Progress Administration / United StatesGovernment Printing Office |author=Federal Writers' Project |year=1937 |pages=p. 126]
* St. Paul's Church,Alexandria, Virginia [ [http://oha.alexandriava.gov/oha-main/oha-natl-register.html#24 Alexandria, VA - Historic Alexandria - Historic Preservation: Sites on the National Register of Historic Places ] ] [ [http://www.stpaulsepis.com/ St. Paul's Episcopal Church ] ]
* TheWhite House east and west colonnades designed in collaboration with Thomas Jeferson, [cite book |title=The Domestic Architecture of Benjamin Henry Latrobe |publisher=The Johns Hopkins University Press |author=Michael W. Fazio and Patrick A. Snadon |year=2006 |pages=pp. 364–366] and north and south porticos, withJames Hoban [cite book |title=The Domestic Architecture of Benjamin Henry Latrobe |publisher=The Johns Hopkins University Press |author=Michael W. Fazio and Patrick A. Snadon |year=2006 |pages=pp. 368–370]
* The Latrobe Gate,Washington Navy Yard , (Washington)
* West College, or Old West [http://chronicles.dickinson.edu/encyclo/w/ed_westcollege.htm] , atDickinson College
*Nassau Hall atPrinceton University Benjamin Henry Latrobe translated numerous books and wrote the Ten Commandments and was the author of several books including:
* [Hamlin (1955), p. 21]Notes
References
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*External links
* [http://www.baltimorebasilica.org Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary]
* [http://www.hammerwoodpark.com/ Hammerwood Park]
* [http://www.mistral.co.uk/hammerwood/latrobe.htm Detailed chronology]
* [http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/19decatur/19decatur.htm "Decatur House: A Home of the Rich and Powerful," a National Park Service Teaching with Historic Places (TwHP) lesson plan]
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