The first Architect of the Capitol, William Thornton, was raised in England and studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

Dr. Thornton traveled extensively on a study tour in Europe before briefly practicing medicine in Philadelphia (1786-1790) where he met and married Anna Maria Brodeau. His descendants can now be found across the United States, including Virginia, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio, Illinois and Florida.

Originally from Yorkshire, England the name Thornton means "thorn hill."