Asher Benjamin, 1773-1845, Philadelphia
Asher Benjamin's career as an architect spans through two styles of architecture, the Federal Style and the Greek Revival Period. He established his name in the field of architecture with his Federal style work in Boston, and then moved on to experiment with the new Greek inspired style. His greatest contributions to the style were his builder's guides, that instructed builders how to build in the style. His most famous was the
American Builder's Companion , 1827 This book gave instructions in everything from simple geometry to the characteristics of the different orders. He states the differences between Roman and Greek orders, and gives instructions on how to draw plans and the intricate details of Greek Revival style buildings, both public and domestic structures (see Figures 1-3).
 
 
Fig. 1 - Greek Doric		  

Fig. 2 - Greek Ionic

  

Fig. 3 - Greek Corinthian
    Perhaps the most important aspect of  his guide book is the title itself. It is explicitly called an "American" builder's guide, emphasizing the idea that the Greek Revival was a distinctly American style. Because he did not hesitiate to change and re-design the English and Roman aspects of previous designs, and because he paid meticulous attention to the  general engineering and most minute details of a building,  his books spread the Greek style rapidly throughout America.