Existing comment:
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson, diplomat, founding father, and statesman, wanted the seat of government to be simple "federal town" as befitting a republic. Washington and L'Enfant instead created plans for an elaborate "Federal City" worthy of becoming "the Capital of this vast Empire." Jefferson nearly won, however, when, as the third US President, he cancelled building funds. As a result, almost a century elapsed before L'Enfant's city was realized. |