Thomas Ustick Walter designed this elaborate room as part of the Library of Congress while it was housed in the United States Capitol building. Started in 1800, the Library remained in the Capitol building until the creation of The Thomas Jefferson Building in 1897.

After the first Library was burned by the British in 1814, Thomas Jefferson offered his collection of 6,487 books to the Congress. In January 1815, Congress accepted Jefferson's offer, appropriating $23,950 for his books, and the foundation was laid for a great national library. The Jeffersonian concept of universality, the belief that all subjects are important to the library of the American legislature, is the philosophy and rationale behind the comprehensive collecting policies of today's Library of Congress.

Philadelphia-born, Walter was the most important architect between Benjamin Henry Latrobe and Henry Hobson Richardson. In 1850, he entered the competition for the design of the extension of the United States Capitol.

The wings and the dome of the Capitol shaped the image and iconography of American governmental buildings for a century to come. Had Walter executed no other design save the Capitol, his place as a key figure in American architecture would be assured. But the full body of his public and private commissions, together with his role as a founder of the American Institute of Architects, established him in the view of his contemporaries as the dean of American architects.

Medium : 1 drawing : ink and watercolor on paper

Created/Published : 1852

Creator : Thomas Ustick Walter, architect, 1804-1887

Housed in the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress

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Product #: ppmsca07220