The original design was the work of the architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe, who was considered the “father of American architecture” and was the Surveyor of Public Buildings - the predecessor title of the Architect of the U.S. Capitol - under President Thomas Jefferson. Latrobe worked closely with John Carroll - the country’s first bishop and later Archbishop of Baltimore, and cousin of Charles Carroll, who signed the Declaration of Independence. Latrobe’s design for the Basilica is considered to be his best, most refined work, a reflection of his inspiration through routine correspondence with President Thomas Jefferson on matters of architecture. It has been said that, “Their collaboration produced a building that in its day rivaled the Capitol in size, scale and architectural sophistication.”
At the time, Carroll’s original vision of a cathedral adopted the forward-looking neoclassical architecture of the new federal city in Washington. He desired an architectural symbol that was not Gothic, which was reminiscent of the Dark Ages in Europe. When Latrobe learned of Carroll’s project, he volunteered his architectural services. The most distinguishable part of Latrobe’s design is its grand dome and 24 skylights, which produced a diffused light.