James G. Hill followed William Appleton Potter as Supervising Architect of the Treasury Department in 1876 and served until his resignation in 1883. In his federal capacity Hill designed the massive U.S. Post Office in Pittsburgh (1881-1891).

Hill was born in Massachusetts and gained his architectural training with Bryant & Gilman in Boston (1857-1862). He first attempted to break into federal employment in 1862 and succeeded finally in 1864, when he became a clerk in the Treasury Department. After a brief foray into New York work and a return to his native Malden, MA, he became part of the Supervising Architect's Office in 1867.

Written by Sandra L. Tatman.