L'ENFANT, PIERRE CHARLES (1754-1825), engineer and architect, was born in Paris, France, on Aug. 2, 1754. After completing his education as an architect and engineer, he became an officer in the French colonial troops. His enthusiasm for the American cause brought him, in 1777, to the colonies, where he volunteered in the Continental army at his own expense. In Feb. 1778, he was commissioned captain of engineers. His various military services, knowledge of fortification, and work as a disciplinarian won the admiration of Gen. Washington and other officers, and in 1783, Congress promoted him to major of engineers. When the Society of the Cincinnati was founded in May 1783, he was commissioned to design its insignia, and as he was about to sail for France, assisted in organizing the French branch of that society. Upon his return to America, he established himself as an architect and engineer in New York city.
Following the decision of Congress to establish the capital on the banks of the Potomac, L'Enfant prepared a plan for the city. The plan was noted for the breadth of its avenues, the large tracts set aside for gardens, parks and squares and for the general logic of its arrangements. It was prepared on such a "scale as to
leave room for that aggrandizement and embellishment which the increase of the wealth of the nation will permit it to pursue at any period, however remote." His plan was accepted, and he was employed in March 1791 to direct the work, but his "untoward disposition," as President Washington said, resulted in his with drawal from active supervision in March, 1792, though his plan was in general followed.
L'Enfant failed to obtain satisfactory remuneration or recogni tion for his plan of the national capital, and died poor and disap pointed on June 14, 1825, in Prince George county, Md. On April 28, 1909, his body was removed to Arlington National Cemetery, where a monument was erected to him by Congress.
See Records of Columbia Hist. Soc. vol. 1-3 (Washington, 1897 190o) ; J. J. Jusserand, With Americans of Past and Present Days (1916) .