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Robert Mills (architect)




Robert Mills ( 1781 - 1855 ) is sometimes called the first native born American to become a professional Architect ; Charles Bulfinch perhaps has a clearer claim to this honor. In Charleston, South Carolina , he was student under Irish architect James Hoban , who later designed the White House , which became the official home of US presidents.

Robert was also a member of the Freemasons .

He moved to Philadelphia in 1802 , where he became an associate and student of Benjamin Henry Latrobe . He gradually became known in his own right. Philadelphia Building s that he designed are Washington Hall, Samson Street Baptist Church , and the Octogon Unitarian Church. He also designed the Upper Ferry Bridge covering.

Moving to Baltimore , he designed St. John's Episcopal Church, the Maryland House of Industry, and the Maryland Club. He is noted for designing the first Washington Monument in Baltimore, which began construction in 1815 . In the next few years he designed numerous buildings in South Carolina , Richmond, Virginia and Washington. In 1825 he published an Atlas of South Carolina. In 1836 he won the competition for the design of the Washington Monument , his best known work.

by Robert Mills.]]

He also designed the Department Of Treasury building and several other federal buildings in Washington, D. C. . In South Carolina, he designed county Courthouse s in at least 18 counties, some of the public buildings in Columbia , and a few private homes. He also designed portions of the Landsford Canal , Chester County , on the Catabwa River in SC.

Mills was an early Advocate of designing buildings so as to be Fireproof . A fire in Kingstree, South Carolina destroyed much of the upper floor of a courthouse that he designed, but the county records on the first floor were protected due to his fireproofing measures.


FOR FURTHER READING


  • ''Robert Mills: America's First Architect'', by John Bryan, Princeton Architectural Press.