Appointed August 22, 1923; Retired September 30, 1954.

David Lynn was appointed Architect of the Capitol in 1923 to fill the vacancy caused by Elliott Woods' death. Like his predecessor, Lynn was not an architect but had worked his way up through the ranks to become the agency’s number one assistant at the time of his predecessor's death.

Lynn's tenure was marked by the growth of the U.S. Capitol Grounds and the construction of major buildings for the U.S. House of Representatives (the Longworth House Office Building), the U.S. Supreme Court, the Library of Congress and the U.S. Botanic Garden. In addition, the First Street wing of the Russell Senate Office Building was built, the Capitol Power Plant was enlarged, and construction on the Dirksen Senate Office Building was begun. The U.S. Capitol Grounds were again expanded, and underground parking for Senate employees was provided. Lynn also supervised the redesign and reconstruction of the House and Senate Chambers.

Born in 1873 in West Virginia and raised in Maryland, Lynn started his career at the U.S. Capitol soon after finishing high school. He began as a laborer and rose to the rank of engineer by 1910. After 31 years as head of the agency, Lynn retired in 1954 and died in 1961.

Related Places

Lynn's Legacy

Each Architect of the Capitol helped shape the iconic buildings and grounds we know today.

Flower bed, outside, blue sky.

U.S. Capitol Grounds

The grounds immediately surrounding the U.S. Capitol are bordered by a stone wall and cover an area of 58.8 acres. Its boundaries are Independence Avenue on the south, Constitution Avenue on the north, First Street NE/SE on the east, and First Street NW/SW on the west.
Entrance to the Conservatory at the Botanic Gardens

U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory

This historic Lord & Burnham greenhouse contains two courtyard gardens and 10 garden rooms under glass, totaling 28,944 square feet of exhibition space.
Exterior view of a building.

Longworth House Office Building

Completed in the spring of 1933, the seven-story Longworth House Office Building is the second of three office buildings constructed for the United States House of Representatives.
Exterior view of a building.

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.
Exterior view of a building.

Dirksen Senate Office Building

The Everett McKinley Dirksen Senate Office Building was the second of three office buildings constructed for the United States Senate.

Senate Fountain

The Senate Fountain, a hexagonal granite monolith with high jets of water spouting from its center, is surrounded by six smaller jets on a lower level.