Navigate to Homepage
Search
Main navigation
  

        
              Explore the Capitol Campus
                          Art
                            Buildings & Grounds
                            Capitol Hill Facts
                            Visitor Resources
                            Our Blog
                            What We Do
                          Areas of Expertise
                            Programs & Ceremonies
                            Projects
                            Publications
                            Strategic Objectives
                            About Us
                          Who We Are
                            History of the AOC
                            News & Notices
                            Organizational Structure
                            Partnerships & Recognition
                            Work With UsSearch Breadcrumb
    HomeAbout UsHistory of the Architect of the CapitolArchitects of the CapitolElliott Woods
  

Sixth Architect of the Capitol

Birth
    1865

United Kingdom

Death
    1923

Years Served
    1902-1923

Painted portrait of Elliott Woods, Sixth Architect of the Capitol
    
                  Appointed February 19, 1902; Died in office May 22, 1923.

Elliott Woods was appointed "Superintendent of the Capitol Building and Grounds" to fill the vacancy caused by Edward Clark's death. Because Woods was not an architect, the name of the office was changed to "Superintendent." The title reverted to "Architect of the Capitol" in 1921 as a way of honoring Woods, who had successfully managed the construction of the monumental House and Senate office buildings (now called the Cannon House Office Building and the Russell Senate Office Building) and the Capitol Power Plant.

Born in England during his parents' travel abroad in 1865, Woods had a high school education. He joined Clark's office in 1885 and worked his way up to become Chief Assistant and de facto head of the agency during the last few years of Clark's life. His appointment was greeted with skepticism by the architectural community, but Woods proved to be an effective administrator and was popular in Congress. He died in office in 1923.
          
    
      Related Buildings
Woods's Legacy
Each Architect of the Capitol helped shape the iconic buildings and grounds we know today.
            
          Cannon House Office Building

The Cannon House Office Building (constructed beginning in 1905 and completed in 1908) is the oldest congressional office building and a significant example of the Beaux Arts style of architecture.
    Capitol Power Plant

The Capitol Power Plant provides steam and chilled water used to heat and cool buildings throughout the U.S. Capitol campus.
    Russell Senate Office Building

The Richard Brevard Russell Senate Office Building (1903–1908) is the oldest of the Senate office buildings as well as a significant example of the Beaux Arts style of architecture.
Architects of the capitol
Discover More Agency Leaders
            
          Edward Clark
    David Lynn Serve. Preserve. Inspire.

              Contact Us
                            Accountability
                            Hill Staff Resources
                            AOC Staff Resources
Utility
  

        
              Privacy Policy
                            Image Terms of Use
                            Inspector General
                            U.S. Botanic Garden
                            U.S. Capitol Visitor CenterFacebook
	Twitter
	Flickr
	YouTube
	Instagram
	Subscribe