JUST BOOKED

The Mysterious Man Behind the World's Most Famous House

While James Hoban's White House is immediately recognized worldwide, his story is rarely known.

Rare is the person whose work is one of the most mentioned in the world and yet most would finding naming them difficult. But such is the situation with James Hoban, the architect who designed and oversaw the construction of the White House. Only a silhouette exists of his likeness and his papers burned after he died. But a new book (and the latest selection for our series on exciting new coffee table books, Just Booked) from the White House Historical Association, James Hoban: Designer & Builder of the White House sheds at least some light on this elusive figure.

The book's first half is a collection of essays from scholars examining the man who through one work alone would shape American visual identity. Topics covered include his religion, his ownership of the enslaved, his collaboration with George Washington, and his life growing up in Ireland.

The second half of the book is a collection of images mostly focusing on the influences he likely found while living and working in Ireland and then how those influences found their way into his designs for the White House.

See more of our coverage in your search results.

ADD THE DAILY BEAST ON GOOGLE

The Daily Beast

Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.