SOLOMON WILLARD

Background

Solomon Willard was born in 1788 in Petersham, Worcester County, United States. The son of a carpenter and cabinet maker, and while a youth, worked with his father.

Education

As to his architectural training, the young man probably studied at Asher Benjamin’s celebrated school in Boston before 1820.

Career

At the age of twenty-six made and placed all the capitals in the Park Street and Federal Street churches in Boston. He also designed and built the famous spiral staircase in the old Exchange Coffee House on State Street. As to his architectural training, the young man probably studied at Asher Benjamin’s celebrated school in Boston before 1820, the year in which he opened an office in the city. During the two decades Mr. Willard practiced his profession he designed the United States Branch Bank in Boston, a notable example of the Doric style, and the Suffolk County Court House built in 1826. Among other works he planned and built were the Court House in Dedham, a public school building and the town Hall in Quincy, as well as various other buildings of lesser importance.

Achievements

• He is credited with having discovered the granite quarries in Quincy, and invented an ingenious mechanical device which greatly aided the process of quarrying and handling of the stone.

Works

More photos

• Other Work

  • Suffolk County Court House

    (built in 1826)

  • town Hall in Quincy