Architect, born in Paris, France. Of humble origins, he enrolled in night-classes at the École Gratuite de. He went on to study at the École des Beaux-Arts where he received the Grand Prix de Rome the same year. In 1861 won the competition to design the Paris Opera house. His design reflects the Second Empire taste for luxury and extravagance and synthesizes a number of classical elements. Charles Garnier soon became a well-known and influential architectural critic.