"The United States Capitol is regarded by many as the finest example of classical architecture in America. Here, in a illustrated volume, Henry Hope Reed traces the architectural antecedents and history of this symbol of American democracy. The Capitol, which houses the legislative branch of our government, is also an international landmark attracting up to five million visitors each year. Its design was the result of an architectural competition devised by George Washington, who declared the William Thornton's winning plan a perfect balance of "grandeur, simplicity, and convenience."" "Construction began in August 1793, but progress made during the following decade was less than satisfactory. English architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe was brought in by Thomas Jefferson in 1803 to oversee the work, which was finally completed under Charles Bulfinch in 1829. Following the story of the Capitol building all the way to its most recent renovation and the addition of a Visitor's Center, distinguished architectural historian Henry Hope Reed provides a detailed description of the building's exterior, its unsurpassed ornamentation, and the richness of its rooms." "Illustrated with 192 color and 123 black-and-white photographs, drawings, and diagrams, some depicting areas of the Capitol now closed to the public, The U.S. Capitol: Its Architecture and Decoration also serves as an invaluable visual reference tool. Complete with an illustrated glossary of architectural terms used and a section of brief biographies of persons associated with the Capitol, this book is a comprehensive history of one of America's most precious landmarks."--Jacket.