Albert L. West

Albert Lawrence West (May 10, 1825 – September 27, 1892), known as A. L. West, was an American architect based in Richmond, Virginia. His work is in Virginia and North Carolina and includes the Pasquotank County Courthouse in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

Biography Albert L. West was born on May 10, 1825, in Laurel Grove, Chesterfield County, Virginia. His father owned a plantation. At the age of 18, he moved to Richmond, Virginia. He lived for a time in Petersburg.

West began his career as a carpenter and builder. He worked as an engineer and architect at the hospital in Augusta, Georgia, for the Confederacy during the American Civil War. As an architect he designed several Methodist churches. He wrote The Architect and Builder's Vade-Mecum and Book of Reference in 1871. He became a fellow in the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) towards the end of his career and was the first native Virginian so honored. He was chairman of the State Sunday School Executive Committee and in 1890 was the Virginia delegate to the International Sunday School Convention in Pittsburgh. He was superintendent and president of the Sunday School Union. He was also temporarily superintendent of the school at Highland Park.

Works

Manchester Courthouse (Richmond, Virginia) at 920 Hull Street (1871) remodeling of Centenary Church (Richmond, Virginia) The church building is still standing. original buildings at Richmond fairgrounds