Pierre Charles L'Enfant was a French-American architect and civil engineer best known for designing the layout of Washington, D.C.. Born in 1754 in Paris, he moved to the United States in 1789 and was commissioned by George Washington to create a plan for the new capital city. L'Enfant's design featured wide avenues, public squares, and a grand layout that reflected the ideals of the new nation. L'Enfant's vision for Washington, D.C. was ambitious, incorporating elements of European city planning. However, he faced challenges with local landowners and government officials, leading to his dismissal from the project in 1792. Despite this, his influence remains evident in the city's design today.