Background
Leon E. Dessez was born in 1858 in Washington, District of Columbia, United States.
Leon E. Dessez was born in 1858 in Washington, District of Columbia, United States.
He was trained in architecture in the local office of Hornblower & Poindexter (succeeded by Hornblower Marshall). As draftsman he worked three years with the late Colonel Casey on plans for the Washington Monument, and during three later years was employed in the same capacity at the U. S. Navy Yard in Washington.
In practice in the Capitol city, Mr. Dessez was identified with the design of several public buildings and private homes. His best known works include a Normal School in Washington on Georgia Avenue; the Gallagher Hospital, and during later years the Hospital at the Soldiers' Home. Also he was architect of St. James Episcopal Church at Leesburg.
A charter member of the Washington, D. C., Chapter, A.I.A. in 1887, he was advanced to Fellowship in 1896 and in later years served on a number of Institute committees, one of which was organized to study a proposed revision of City Planning regulations.