Main Page | See live article | Alphabetical index

Pierre Charles L'Enfant

Pierre Charles L'Enfant (2 August 175414 June 1825) designed the street plan of the Federal City, now known as Washington, DC. Born in France, he came to to the American colonies with Lafayette and became closely identified with the United States, adopting the name Peter. He is buried in Prince George's County, Maryland.

Because of his irascible personality, L'Enfant's plan for the Federal City was only partially executed during his lifetime. In 1901 the McMillan Commission rediscovered the layout and used it as the cornerstone of its 1902 report, which laid out a plan for a sweeping National Mall.