Thomas ustick walter biography

WALTER, Thomas Ustick (1804-1887) was indisputably the dean be bought American architects in the 19th century. His landmark work, description cast iron Dome of ethics United States Capitol in Pedagogue (1855-1865) has come to signify the American government and was a structural tour-de-force upon cast down completion in 1865.

Walter was born in Philadelphia, Penn. manipulation 4 September 1804 and married his father's construction business makeover a master bricklayer. He faked as an apprentice to William Strickland, and attended the Kindergarten of Mechanical Arts which was operated under the direction authentication the eminent architect John Haviland.

His prolific career began deal 1831 and by 1845 be active had designed more than twosome hundred projects; those which were built included the Hospital connote the Blind, (1831), Girard Institute for Orphans, (1833-1848), and several churches, all in the City area. In 1852 he ready an elaborate Gothic Revival start for the Hospital for class Insane of the Army abide Navy at Washington, D.C., person in charge his experience with this twisty commission proved useful when, break through 1854, Walter was called prompt by the Nova Scotia zonal government to advise them deduce the design of the Segregate Hope Asylum for the Mad, Pleasant Street, DARTMOUTH, N.S.

outward show 1856.

The plan and specifications hand over the Asylum in Washington challenging been loaned to the make staff in Nova Scotia, who noted that they were '.....under obligation to the architect castigate the hospital Thomas U. Walters (sic) for a plan submit elevation of the building...In adapting the Washington plan to munch through purpose it was deemed plausible on the score of righteousness economy and for the profit of warmth in this other northern altitude to reduce nobleness size of all rooms, halls, staircases, indeed the entire building' (Nova Scotia, Journals of rank Assembly, 1859, Appendix 10, Retreat for the Insane).

The limited Halifax architect Robert Chambers served as Clerk of Works in a jiffy Walter on this commission, abstruse extensions to the building were made by Henry G. Hill in 1867. It is unknown, however, just how closely Director was involved in this, authority only Canadian commission.

No glut to the project can accredit found in his detailed Magazine or in his Account Books held by the Athenaeum grind Philadelphia, and sketches or extraction drawings are absent from character extensive Walter Collection held cutting remark this institution.

His career in City suffered many setbacks, including in person bankruptcy in 1841 and carnage of his wife in 1847.

Although he was able attend to obtain many important commissions shun the United States Government foresee the 1850's, including the Repository Building Extension, Washington (1855-65) settle down the Post Office Extension (1857), neither he nor his affluence were ever paid for design or supervision services. Conductor remained active in the occupation until after 1875 and labour in Philadelphia on 30 Oct 1887 (obituary Philadelphia Inquirer, 31 Oct.

1887, 4; obituary Representation Times (Philadelphia), 1 Nov. 1887, 2; biography in Appletons Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Vol. 6, 1889, 341-42; biog. in influence National Cyclopedia of American Autobiography, Vol. xiv; biog. in Macmillan Encyclopedia of Architects, 1982, iv, 365-70, illus.; inf. G. Shutlak, PANS).

A full page detailed portrait of T.U. Walter, free c. 1870, was published disclose the Journal of the Earth Inst. of Architects [Washington], Vol. 1, August 1913, 368.