Asher Benjamin was a highly influential figure in American architecture in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, known for his influential building manuals on architectural design and ornamentation. These books were widely circulated and helped to standardize architectural design in the United States, making it accessible to builders, carpenters, and homeowners alike. The books were notable for their clear and concise instructions, as well as their detailed illustrations of architectural elements such as mouldings, cornices, and columns. They provided a comprehensive guide to the various shapes and styles of ornamentation that were popular in his time and continue to be used today.
Benjamin was known for his use of classical motifs in his moulding designs, which were based on the proportions and ornamentation of ancient Greek and Roman architecture. Benjamin’s emphasis on proportion, symmetry, and classical ornamentation had a lasting impact and was widely copied and adapted.
For further reading about Asher Benjamin architecture, we recommend “The Architect, or Practical House Carpenter (1830)” (1989) published by Dover Publications, Inc.