Born August 2, 1754
Paris, France
Died June 14, 1825
Near Bladensburg, Maryland

Architect, engineer, city planner, army officer

A plan for the design of Washington, D.C., "must leave to [those who come after] a grand [memorial] to the patriotic interests which promoted it."
Portrait: Pierre Charles L'Enfant. Reproduced permission of the National Archives and Records Administration.

Pierre Charles L'Enfant was a French-born architect and engineer. Although he had little formal training, he designed the brilliant plan for the city of Washington, D.C., as well as other public and private buildings. His designs became models for city planners. His grand ideas and haughty attitude caused problems with many of his clients, however, and his life ended in poverty and bitterness.

Pierre Charles L'Enfant (pronounced pee-AIR sharl LON-FON) was born in Paris, France, on August 2, 1754. His father, Pierre, was a painter of battle...