Background
George Hadfield was born in 1767 at Livoma, Italy, the son of American parents.
(a commission awarded him on the recommendation of Thomas ...)
a commission awarded him on the recommendation of Thomas Jefferson
1802
George Hadfield was born in 1767 at Livoma, Italy, the son of American parents.
He studied architecture at the Royal Academy in London.
A young man of twenty when he arrived in this country, he became acquainted with the noted artist, John Trumbull, and through the latter’s influence was invited by the Commissioners of Washington to take charge of the work under construction at the Capitol building. As Superintendent he succeeded Stephen Hallett, beginning work on October 15, 1796. Owing mainly to the general direction of William Thornton, Hadfield encountered difficulties which, following a dispute with the Commissioners, led to his resignation. However he remained in Washington and engaged in private practice for twenty years. Among the several public buildings which he designed were the Washington County Jail, 1802, a commission awarded him on the recommendation of Thomas Jefferson; the U. S. Branch Bank, 1824, which stood until 1904, and the original Treasury and Executive Offices built in 1796 without his supervision, and destroyed by fire during the British attack on the city in 1814.
In addition Mr. Hadfield was architect of the old City Hal! in Washington built in 1820 and occupied as such until 1872, now the central unit of the U. S. Court of Appeals in Judiciary Square. His only known surviving building in the city, it is perhaps the most scholarly example of the so-called Federal style architecture in the country. Also credited to Mr. Hadfield is the design of the beautiful mansion at Arlington, Va., originally the home of George Washington Custis, later occupied by Robert E. Lee, and since 1933 property of the U. S. Government.
After studies George Hadfield continued his training in the office of the late James Wyatt.
George Hadfield became acquainted with the noted artist, John Trumbull, and through the latter’s influence was invited by the Commissioners of Washington to take charge of the work under construction at the Capitol building.
Owing mainly to the general direction of William Thornton, George Hadfield encountered difficulties which, following a dispute with the Commissioners.
