Bethany Abbate, '02
United States Capitol - Benjamin Henry Latrobe perspective drawing to Thomas Jefferson, 1806
Jefferson 
and the 
Classical Architecture 
of 
Washington, D.C.
President's House - ca. 1810

I. Jefferson’s Nationalism

    A Vision for new democracy
        1. As related to antiquity
        2. As oriented toward the future of new republic

    B. Jefferson and the State Capitol of Virginia in Richmond
        1. General architectural design
        2. Symbolic importance of civic architecture

II. Jefferson and the U.S. Capitol
    A. City Planning of Washington D.C.
         1. Jefferson and L’Enfant
         2. City lay-out
                a. purpose
                b. symbolism
    B. Architectural History
         1. The competition
         2. The design

    C. Jefferson and Latrobe
         1. Benjamin Henry Latrobe
         2. Relationship with Jefferson
    D. Architectural influence and collaborative design of the Capitol
         1. Classical considerations
         2. Practical considerations

III. Jefferson and the President’s House

            A. Architectural History
                1. The competition
                2. The design

            B. Jefferson’s Architectural Influence
                1. Collaborative design
                2. Classical Influence

IV. Conclusion

           A. Was Jefferson successful in fashioning architecture for democracy?
            B. Jefferson’s Temples of Democracy
                1. Continued symbolism of past
                2. Architecture oriented towards the future of America