David Lynn IV           5th Generation        1873-1961

7th Architect of the United States Capitol  

David Lynn IV’s portrait from life by Charles J. Fox hangs in the U.S. Capitol
     As a youth, David Lynn IV, son of Capt. David Lynn III, CSA, took a job at the United States Capitol in the late 1800’s as a bicycle policeman.  He was then transferred to the Architect of the Capitol’s office and over the next 20 years worked himself up to the highest position – 7th Architect of the United States Capitol.  He served on Capitol Hill for over fifty years.

     David was the son of David and Mary Jane Acheson Lynn and was born November 10, 1873 in Wheeling , West Virginia .  When their children were quite young, his parents moved their family to live in the ancestral home “Rose Hill” in Cumberland, Maryland which was built by his great grandfather, Capt. David Lynn in 1801.  His great Grandmother, Mary Galloway Lynn, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Birkhead Galloway, was born in Anne Arundel County, West River, Maryland. Both her husband and her father served in the Revolutionary War.  

“David, aged 11 years, attempted to jump on one of his father’s coal carts on North Centre Street and fell in front of one of the wheels.  The wheel passed over him fracturing his hip bone.  Dr. Whiley rendered medical aid.”                 Copied from the Daily Times of Cumberland , Maryland 1884  

Left and Center: Family Pictures of David at 13 Yrs. Old.  

Family Picture on Front Lawn of Rose Hill.  David front with their dog.  His brother, Albert Cummins Lynn is on his left.
David Lynn IV married Margaret Allan Trimble on May 7, 1924 in St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, Washington D.C.   His nineteen year old nephew, David Lynn V served as his best man. 

   Margaret was the daughter of South Trimble and Carrie Allan.  She was born on April 5, 1894 in "Bell’s Grove", Forks of Elkhorn, Franklin Co. Kentucky and died January 6, 1973 in Washington D.C.  

   During World War II, Margaret was a member of the Congressional Daughters and the Capitol Pages War Bond Committees on Capitol Hill.  She served with the Red Cross and their War Bond Committees.  She was an Assistant Sector Air Raid Warden in her residential neighborhood of Cleveland Park, D.C.    

Children of David Lynn IV and Margaret Trimble

1.     David Lynn VI, born November 11, 1925 in Washington D.C. Died August 2, 2006

2.     South Trimble Lynn, born July 28, 1927

3.     Margaret Acheson Lynn, born June 6, 1930; died June 9, 2006

 

David Lynn IV 3rd from left leaning against the tree

David Lynn IV back row, 2nd from left

        David Lynn’s Commission as the 7th Architect of the U.S. Capitol, a plaster relief of David Lynn IV by Bryant Baker from life and a bust of David Lynn IV by E. Dimone are in the possession of his son, South Trimble Lynn, Sr. and are proudly displayed in his home,  “Southland Farm at Rosehill” in Darnestown, Maryland.   (See pictures below)    

           “All round the Capitol sound praise of Lynn, Architect of America’s greatest building is a native of Cumberland.  The magazine section of the Washington Sunday Star, Feb. 15, in a page article by Will P. Kennedy captioned “skill of experts displayed by officiates of Capitol Buildings: carries amongst others a picture of David Lynn, Architect of the Capitol who is a native of Cumberland.  Mr. Lynn is seated at his desk.  The opening paragraphs of Mr. Kennedy’s article read; The United States Capitol Building is the very heart of the nation.  It is the work shop of the Congress, which has sole authority to make the laws and of the Supreme Court set up by the Constitution to interpret the laws.  Yet, few persons throughout the country, even members of Congress, appreciate what a sizeable plant the Capitol and its accessory group of buildings really is. 

        Fewer still ever stop to consider that group of earnest and efficient experts, who keep the work shop in shape for Congress and the Supreme Court, while Congress is besieged by job hunters and seekers after political patronage – each one of the 435 members of the House and the 96 members of the Senate having its own trouble in regard – it is worthy of note that come Republicans and go Democrats or vice versa.  No matter which party holds the majority, his group of shop management for the Capitol has been kept uninterruptedly on the job for many years unaffected by the tides or shifting winds of politics.  Heading the list is David Lynn recently promoted to the “Architect of the Capitol” to succeed the late Elliott Woods.  He has been employed for 25 years.  Everyone around the Capitol has a good word for him and he is recognized as a thorough gentleman.”    Source: Cumberland Evening Times, Feb. 20, 1925  

 

   

Plaster Relief of David Lynn IV by Bryant Baker

Plaster Reproduction Bust of David Lynn IV by E. Dimone

Painted on the Ceiling of the Capitol Building

Architects of the Capitol:  Stewart, White, Woods, Lynn (Painted on the Ceiling of the Capitol Building)

           During David Lynn’s administration, four major buildings were added to the Capitol complex: the Longworth House Office Building, the Supreme Court Building, the Annex (Adams Building) of the Library of Congress and the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory.  In addition, the First Street wing of the Russell Building was build, the Capitol Power Plant was enlarged, and construction on the Dirksen Senate Office Building was begun.  The Capitol Grounds were again expanded and underground parking for Senate employees was provided. He also supervised a major remodeling of the House and Senate Chambers between 1949 and1951.

Letter from Chief Justice Charles E Hughes to David Lynn

    For More information on the US Supreme Court :

This is a record of David's employment at the office of the Architect of the Capitol in Washington D.C.  Records note that David began on the Police Force and advanced to working as a laborer for $2.00 a day in 1901.  He worked his way up to Foreman Cleaner, Watchman and to Civil Engineer in 1910.  He became Architect of the Capitol on August 22, 1923 by Appointment.  He retired on October 16, 1954.

This is a picture of a letter in which David requests a Statement of Service of his Great Grandfather, Captain David Lynn of the Revolutionary War in order that he may be admitted to the Sons of the American Revolution.  The letter is dated May 20, 1912 and written on the official letterhead of the Office of Superintendents of the U.S. Capitol Building and Grounds.