James Hoban

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Cite This Source

James Hoban (c. 1762 - December 8, 1831) was an Irish architect, best known for designing the White House in Washington, D.C..

Life

James Hoban was born in Desart, near Callan, County Kilkenny, Ireland. Hoban was raised on the estate of the Earl of Desart at Cuffesgrange, Co Kilkenny where he learned carpentry skills. He studied architecture at the Royal Dublin Society.

Following the American Revolutionary War, Hoban emigrated to the United States, and established himself as an architect in Philadelphia in 1781. Hoban went to South Carolina in 1792, where he designed numerous buildings including the South Carolina statehouse in Columbia.

In 1792, Hoban won the competition to design the presidential mansion, later known as the The White House.

Hoban was also one of the supervising architects who served on the Capitol, carrying out the design of Dr. William Thornton.

Hoban lived the rest of his life in Washington, D.C., where he worked on other public buildings and government projects, including roads and bridges. He also designed Rossenarra House near the village of Kilmoganny in Kilkenny, Ireland in 1824.

Hoban died in Washington, D.C. on December 8, 1831.

Ireland commemoration

A memorial arbor is being designed to honor James Hoban near his birth place and is expected to be completed by 2008. A major exhibition on his life is to take place at the White House Visitor Center. He

Notes

References

External links