Public Libraries of Suffolk County, New York

Grand avenues, the story of the French visionary who designed Washington, D.C., Scott W. Berg

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages [303]-311) and index

individual biography

illustrationsmaps

index present

non fiction

Grand avenues

electronic resource eBook

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Scott W. Berg

the story of the French visionary who designed Washington, D.C.

The story of Pierre Charles L'Enfant and the creation of Washington D.C.--from the seeds of his inspiration to the fulfillment of his extraordinary vision. L'Enfant's story is one of consuming passion, high emotion, artistic genius, and human frailty. As a young man he left his home in Paris to volunteer in the army of the American colonies, where he served under George Washington. It was Washington himself who, in 1791, entrusted L'Enfant with the planning of the nation's capital--and reluctantly allowed him to be dismissed from the project eleven months later. The plan was published under another name, and for the remainder of his life L'Enfant fought for recognition. But he would not live to see that day, and a century would pass before L'Enfant would be given credit for his brilliant design. Berg recounts his evocative tale with the narrative verve of a novel.--From publisher description

A note on L'Enfant's English -- A pedestal waiting for a superstructure -- An infinity of small moments -- A powerful friend among the princes of the earth -- The remembrance of my former services -- In every respect advantageously situated -- A plan wholly new -- The wheel to give motion to the machine -- The whole leveled and thrown to the ground -- Measures of the most immediate moment -- An implicit conformity to his will -- The disappointment of absolute dues -- Getting the go by -- A share in the undertaking -- The assurance of things hoped for