Gideon Shryock

Gideon Shryock (November 15, 1802 – June 19, 1880) was Kentucky's first professional architect in the Greek Revival Style. His name has frequently been misspelled as Gideon Shyrock.

Early life Shryock was born in Lexington, Kentucky on November 15, 1802. He was the son of Mathias and Mary Elizabeth Shryock. Gideon was one of eleven children. Their family home was located at 149 North Broadway in Lexington. One of Gideon's younger brothers, Cincinnatus Shryock, would also become an architect.

Shryock attended the famous Lancastrian school for boys directed by Mr. Aldridge. Gideon also apprenticed under his father as a young boy, mastering the principles of business by practice.

Following the completed construction of the Frankfort State Capitol, in 1831, Shryock moved his family back to Lexington.

In January 1827 a bill was approved for the rebuilding of the Kentucky State House in Frankfort that was destroyed by fire. Shryock was a practicing architect in Lexington for a little over two years. Shryock's friends convinced him to submit a proposal for the new State House. He submitted the drawings to the commission and to his own surprise was awarded first place. Receiving the building commission resulted in the move to Frankfort to be close to the building project. The project was completed in December 1829, nearly 3 years after the bill was approved to start construction. Gideon Shryock married Elizabeth in front of the State Capitol Building on June 30, 6 months before the project was completed. The State Capitol building in Frankfort is celebrated for the modern ingenuity of the architect. Ancient Greek elements were incorporated in a new and modern way, such as the rotunda, portico, and staircase. This project becomes the first Greek Revival Building in the west and in Kentucky. Shryock moved back to Lexington following the completion of the State Capitol. Hired by United States Senator John Pope. Old State Capitol in Frankfort, Kentucky (1829) Jefferson County Courthouse in Louisville, Kentucky begun circa 1837, completed 1860 (by Albert Fink). Old Morrison, Transylvania University, Lexington, Kentucky (completed 1834) Orlando Brown House, Frankfort, Kentucky Chestnut Street Methodist Church, now Brown Memorial CME Church, at 813 West Chestnut in Louisville (built 1864–1865)