List of works by Benjamin Henry Latrobe


Works by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, a British-born architect, were influenced by Greek Revival styles and those of British architect John Soane. Latrobe emigrated to the United States, living initially in Virginia, then in Philadelphia, before being hired to work on government projects in Washington, D.C. His works most notably included the United States Capitol, along with designing the porticoes of the White House. He also designed numerous houses and other buildings.
Latrobe worked on various engineering projects, as well, including the Philadelphia waterworks, along with projects in New Orleans where he spent the last years of his life. He wrote quite a bit, including extensive notes in his journals, which have since been published, and he translated works by others.

Architecture

Latrobe's many architectural works include:
WorkPlaceYearNotesImage
Hammerwood ParkEast Grinstead, UK1792
Ashdown HouseEast Sussex, UK1793
William Pennock HouseNorfolk, Virginia1796
Virginia State PenitentiaryRichmond, Virginia1797–1798
Gamble Hill Richmond1798
Bank of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia1798–1801First major Greek Revival building in the United States.
SedgeleyPhiladelphia1799–1802Built for William Cramond on the Schuylkill River, but the mansion fell into disrepair after 1836 when it was subdivided. It was demolished in 1857, and the land is now part of Fairmount Park. A tenant's cottage build along with the mansion remains in existence — the cottage is the only remaining building in Philadelphia designed by Latrobe.
Sansom's BuildingsPhiladelphia1800–1801with Thomas Carstairs
Edward Shippen Burd HousePhiladelphia1801–1802Located at Chestnut and 9th Street; Architectural characteristics similar to the Admiralty House in London, designed by Samuel Pepys Cockerell.
Nassau HallPrinceton, New Jersey1802Originally designed by Robert Smith, and for a period in 1783, it hosted the Congress of the Confederation. The building was later redesigned by Latrobe, after a fire destroyed the building, though it was destroyed once again by fire in 1855 and rebuilt by Philadelphia architect John Notman.
Stanhope HallPrinceton, New Jersey1803The third building of Princeton University's campus and originally home to the library, study halls, and literary societies. Later known as "Geological Hall," in 1915 it was named in honor of Samuel Stanhope Smith, president of the university at the time of its construction.
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin MaryBaltimore1806–1821First Catholic Cathedral built in the United States
Waln HousePhiladelphia1807–1808
Clifton HouseRichmond, Virginia1808Built for Benjamin James Harris, the house featured squarish-dimensions and a central, multi-story hall with a cupola to provide lighting.
Markoe HousePhiladelphia1808–1811Built for John Markoe, who later sold it and it was used as a boarding house until the 1880s when it was demolished.
Long BranchMillwood, Virginia1811Built for Robert Carter Burwell
Portico of BelleviewWashington, D.C.1813
AshlandLexington, Kentucky1813Built two wings onto the home.
BrentwoodWashington, D.C.1817Florida Avenue and 6th St NE; Destroyed by fire in 1917
Van Ness HouseWashington, D.C.1813–1818Later demolished
Christ ChurchWashington, D.C.1807The building used by the city's first Episcopal parish was designed in the Gothic Revival style.
Decatur HouseWashington, D.C.1818Located on Jackson Place
United States CapitolWashington, D.C.Central portion only, including original low dome
Davidge HallBaltimoreThe building known today as Davidge Hall, completed in 1812, is part of the University of Maryland School of Medicine. It is the oldest building in the Northern Hemisphere in continuous use for medical education.
University of Pennsylvania Medical SchoolPhiladelphiaDesigned in collaboration with his apprentice, William Strickland; Demolished in 1874.
Pope VillaLexington, Kentucky1811–1812326 Grosvenor Avenue; The house was the first to incorporate an English basement.
Adena MansionChillicothe, Ohio1806
Taft Museum of ArtCincinnati1820Originally the home of Martin Baum
St. John's ChurchWashington, D.C.1816
St. Paul's ChurchAlexandria, Virginia1818
The White House east and west colonnadesWashington, D.C.Designed in collaboration with Thomas Jefferson, and north and south porticos, with James Hoban
Latrobe Gate, Washington Navy YardWashington, D.C.1806Believed to be the oldest extant example of Greek Revival architecture in the United States.
West College, or Old West at Dickinson CollegeCarlisle, Pennsylvania1803
BelvidereBelmont, New York1804Built in 1804 from plans attributed to Latrobe.

Writing

Benjamin Henry Latrobe authored several books and translated others, including:
James Bruce hired Latrobe in 1790 to help put together Travels, a memoir of Bruce's journeys in Africa.
After he arrived in the United States, Latrobe befriended Constantin-François Chassebœuf, comte de Volney, who stimulated an interest in geology. Latrobe kept numerous journals with geological notes and published a number of papers, including "Memoir on the Sand Hills of Cape Henry", Transactions of the American Philosophical Society.