James Hoban

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James Hoban (c. 1762 - December 8, 1831) was an Irish architect, best known for designing the White House in Washington, D.C.. He lived for most of his professional life in a red brick house on the White House lawn with his wife, 10 children and nine slaves. He earned $1,500 per year, a substantial salary and died a prosperous man.

He was born in Desart, near Callan, County Kilkenny, Ireland and lived on the estate of the Earl of Desart at Cuffesgrange, Co Kilkenny where he learnt carpentry skills. He studied architecture at the Royal Dublin Society. He emigrated to the U.S. by 1789 and established himself as an architect in Philadelphia in 1781. He designed the South Carolina statehouse before winning the competition to design the presidential mansion in 1792, later known as the The White House.

1 The White House
2 Other projects
3 Ireland commemmoration
4 References
5 External links
6 See also

[edit] The White House

His design was based on Leinster House in Dublin. After the British burned the White House in 1812, he supervised the reconstruction work. Workers involved were drawn from the skilled and unskilled European migrants and from slaves in what was a thriving slavery market<ref>O'Connell, Brian. "An Irishman's Diary", The Irish Times, 2006-09-04.</ref>. Hoban was a humanitarian who had difficulties with slavery and always attempted to treat them with dignity and respect. Flogging was restricted and episodes of cruelty dealt with.

His finished project has 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases and, nowadays, 3 elevators. The modern White House has a tennis court, cinema, jogging track and swimming pool. It has a kitchen capable of catering for 140 guests.

The first occupants on November 1, 1800, were President John Adams and his wife. Their tenure was adversely impacted by the unfinished state of the building. The second occupant, President Thomas Jefferson, installed fireplaces to create a better standard of comfort.

The building was damaged in the War of Independence and Hoban was involved in its restoration.

[edit] Other projects

He was also one of the supervising architects who served on the Capitol carrying out the design of Dr. William Thornton. He worked on public buildings for more than 25 years. He also designed Rossenarra House near the village of Kilmoganny in Kilkenny, Ireland in 1824. He died in Washington, D.C. on December 8, 1831.

James Hoban's drawing of the White House. - The White House Historical Association

[edit] Ireland commemmoration

A memorial arbour is being designed to honour 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 Centre.