11 Facts About James Hoban

James Hoban was an Irish-American architect, best known for designing the White House.

James Hoban worked there as a wheelwright and carpenter until in 1779, when he was given an advanced student place in the Dublin Society's Drawing School on Lower Grafton Street in Dublin and studied under Thomas Ivory.

James Hoban was an apprentice to Ivory from 1779 until he left to go to America, likely in 1785.

Under Washington's influence, James Hoban amended it to a two-story facade, 11 bays across, and, at Washington's insistence, the whole presidential mansion was faced with stone.

James Hoban owned at least three slaves who were employed as carpenters in the construction of the White House.

James Hoban was one of the supervising architects who worked on the US Capitol, which was designed by William Thornton, and oversaw the architecture of The Octagon House.

James Hoban lived the rest of his life in Washington, DC, where he worked on public buildings and government projects, including roads and bridges.

James Hoban is believed to have designed Rossenarra House near Kilmoganny in Ireland in 1824.

James Hoban was involved in the development of Catholic institutions in the city, including Georgetown University, where his son was a member of the Jesuit community, St Patrick's Parish, and the Georgetown Visitation Monastery founded by Teresa Lalor of Ballyragget.

James Hoban was originally buried at Holmead's Burying Ground, but was disinterred and reburied at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Washington, DC His son James Hoban Jr.

In 2008, a memorial arbor to honor James Hoban was completed near his birthplace, and a major exhibition on his life took place at the White House Visitor Center.