Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-29

prominent among the Friends in England.
His Parents moved to the Island of Tortola
in the West Indies. in 1I61- Here Thorn
ton was born May % of the same year. At
this Ieriod either Thorntons father or
uncle was governor CT the island.
When five years old Thornton was sent
to England 10 be educated. He studied
medicine under DIR. Field, then with the
ncted DIR. Brown of Edinburgh. In that
city he graduated in medicine in 1ISi. His
studies continued in Paris.
In the latter city an intimate friendship
was formed with the noted Countess Beau
harnais. a relative of Empress Josephines
first husband. She was an authoress and
held a famous salon.
Thornton Travelled extensively on the con-
tinent OF Europe with Count Audriani, the
naturalist. After which he came to this
country and formed temporary residence
in Philadelphia.
In i13O he married the daughter of Mrs.
Ann Brodeau, a successful school teacher
of Philadelphia. Mrs Thornton, who was
born in England, was a lady Of culture,
and All artist OF some ability, which is
proved by a miniature of her husband in
The possession of Mrs Kennon. After their
marriage they returned to Tortola, where
Thornton had an interest in the estate of
his father
in 1893 he moved TO Washington city,
vnere ne lived until his death, in ISIS. He
left 10 children.
He found ii necessary TO take house
in Georgetown. Some years afterward he
moved 10 1881 street, opposite the pres
ent Ebbitt House. AT this place he and
James Madison were neighbors for eight
years
BENZ Ogle Tayloe says: He had we'll
earned reputation for letters and taste:
he was wit, a painter and a poet"
Dunlap, whose work was published only
short time after Thorntons death says:
He was a scholar and a gentleman, full OF
talent ana eccentrtcity, Quaker, by pro-
fessIon painter, poet and we'll acouaint-
ed with the mechanics. arts; his company
was a complete anttdote to dullness"
There are three things that connec.
thornton intimately with the history of
Washington city and the country and
where the excellent character of his work
places the people under obligation to him.
FIRST, Tor MS artistic capacity and skill
In producing the best scheme for a capitol
which forms the nucleus of the present
structure Second. for his general culture.
breadth and capacity as one of the Com
nissioners or the District. which is shown
IN the execution of the magnificent IDEAS of
Washington and LEnfant as to streets
ms own and Hoban's IDEAS as to public
buildings and grounds. Third for mis- mo-
Gnanical knowledge and executive ability
Inc patent office, which has Iostered and
encouraged the inventive ability NJ tba
country, began under his MANAGEMENT
The superintendent of public buildings
and grounds has quite number of vol
uhes, embracing early letters concerning
the formation of the District of CoIurnbia
the laying out Of Washington city. and the
erection OF the federal buildings as well
as complete record of the proceedings of
the commissioners. from 1892 to 1909
The history of Thornton's connection n-;.b
the city and public buildings is to be found
IN these volumes and in letters in the nos
session of private parties
1891, act OF congress, January 4, 1890 the
President was authorized to appoint a COM
MISSION to survey the District purchase
adopt and lay out a plan for the federal
city. ana prior to the list Monday In De
ceTnoer, 400, they were to provide suitable
buildings for the accommodation of Con.
gless. the President and the public offices
or the United States government" All