William Booker Worthen

Biography

William Booker Worthen, born in 1852, practiced architecture with a reverence for proportion and the public good. His designs married beauty with utility, leaving an enduring impression on the city’s dwellings, schools, and civic spaces.

He believed that thoughtful architecture could uplift neighborhoods, and he supported efforts to preserve open spaces and to commission buildings that would inspire pride in the community. His name is remembered among the creators of Philadelphia’s distinctive skyline, and he rests at Mount Holly Cemetery.