Dabney Cosby
Encyclopedia
Dabney Cosby was an American
architect
and builder active primarily in Virginia
and North Carolina
. His earliest known work dates to the 1820s; he is known to have been active until the time of his death.
Cosby is said to have worked with Thomas Jefferson
on the construction of some of the original buildings of the University of Virginia
early in his career, but the precise nature of their collaboration remains unknown. His earliest documented work is the courthouse of Sussex County, Virginia
, dated to 1825. Cosby was well-known around southern Virginia and North Carolina
, and worked in many styles throughout his career. In 1840 he purchased a lot in Raleigh, North Carolina
, living in that town until his death; his letters indicate that he travelled greatly during this time. Most of Crosby's surviving buildings are in Virginia. These include Grace Church
in the former community of Ca Ira
; Venable Hall
, on the campus of Hampden-Sydney College
; and the Goochland County Courthouse complex in Goochland
, both of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
, as well as Hotel A, one of the buildings designed by Jefferson that comprise the core of the University of Virginia, which has long housed the Virginia Quarterly Review.
Cosby died in 1862.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
and builder active primarily in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
and North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. His earliest known work dates to the 1820s; he is known to have been active until the time of his death.
Cosby is said to have worked with Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
on the construction of some of the original buildings of the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
early in his career, but the precise nature of their collaboration remains unknown. His earliest documented work is the courthouse of Sussex County, Virginia
Sussex County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,504 people, 4,126 households, and 2,809 families residing in the county. The population density was 26 people per square mile . There were 4,653 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile...
, dated to 1825. Cosby was well-known around southern Virginia and North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, and worked in many styles throughout his career. In 1840 he purchased a lot in Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
, living in that town until his death; his letters indicate that he travelled greatly during this time. Most of Crosby's surviving buildings are in Virginia. These include Grace Church
Grace Church (Ca Ira, Virginia)
Grace Church is an Episcopal church located in Cumberland County, Virginia. Designed by Dabney Cosby, a former assistant to Thomas Jefferson, it is the only substantial building remaining from the former community of Ca Ira...
in the former community of Ca Ira
Ca Ira, Virginia
Ca Ira was a small community located in Cumberland County, Virginia. Formally established in 1796, it fell into disuse in the years after the American Civil War; today, few traces of the town remain, save for the old Grace Church and a handful of houses....
; Venable Hall
Venable Hall
Venable Hall is a dormitory at Hampden-Sydney College in southside Virginia. Built in sections from 1824–1830, Venable Hall is the second oldest dormitory on Hampden-Sydney's campus...
, on the campus of Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden–Sydney College is a liberal arts college for men located in Hampden Sydney, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1775, Hampden–Sydney is the oldest private charter college in the Southern U.S., the last college founded before the American Revolution, and one of only three four-year,...
; and the Goochland County Courthouse complex in Goochland
Goochland, Virginia
Goochland is a census-designated place in and the county seat of Goochland County, Virginia, United States. The population as of the 2010 Census was 861. The community is also known as Goochland Courthouse or by an alternative spelling, Goochland Court House...
, both of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
, as well as Hotel A, one of the buildings designed by Jefferson that comprise the core of the University of Virginia, which has long housed the Virginia Quarterly Review.
Cosby died in 1862.