Ann Marie Sharf, age 15, of Dodge City, Kan., for her question:

WHAT DID PIERRE L'ENFANT DO?

Pierre L'Enfant was a French engineer and architect who became the first modern city planner. In 1791, he was commissioned to prepare a plan for the new United States capital city in the District of Columbia.

L'Enfant's plan envisioned a city of parks, public buildings and wide, radiating streets. His headstrong temperament led him into a disagreement with President George Washington, and L'Enfant was dismissed as engineer in charge in 1792. But his plan was retained and formed the basis for the later development of Washington, D.C.

The architect was born and educated in Paris. He came to America in 1777 and served as an engineering officer in the Revolutionary War.

He spent the later years of his life trying to get greater compensation for his work in Washington, D.C.

In 1909, Congress erected a monument to him in Arlington National Cemetery, where he is buried