Marquis de Lafayette Biography

(French Aristocrat, Freemason and Military Officer Who Fought in the American Revolutionary War)

Birthday: September 6, 1757 (Virgo)

Born In: Chavaniac-Lafayette, France

Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de La Fayette, Marquis de La Fayette, popularly known as ‘Lafayette’ in history, was a French aristocrat and a military officer. He fought in the American Revolution and was a leader of the Garde nationale during the time of French Revolution. After serving as a major-general in the Continental Army under George Washington, Lafayette returned back to France as a hero and proved to be the most important element in facilitating business and trade ties between America and France. He was against slave trade and believed in emancipation and liberation of all human beings, which was the issue that he addressed with the House of Delegates in the United States, for which he received much admiration. He was appointed commander-in-chief of the Garde nationale in response to growing violence in France during French Revolution and during Austrian attacks, he was captured by the Austrians but ultimately released after 5 years. During France's July Revolution of 1830, Lafayette refused the recommendation to become the French dictator - instead he supported Louis-Philippe's bid as a constitutional monarch. For his great services to both France and the United States, he is known as ‘The Hero of the Two Worlds’. America honored him by naming many monuments and cities throughout the United States after him.
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Quick Facts

French Celebrities Born In September

Nick Name: The Hero of the Two Worlds

Also Known As: Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette

Died At Age: 76

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Adrienne de Lafayette (m. 1774–1807)

father: Michel Louis Christophe Roch Gilbert du Motier

mother: Marie-Louise-Julie de la Riviere

children: Anastasie Lafayette, Georges Washington de La Fayette, Virginie Lafayette

Military Leaders French Men

Died on: May 20, 1834

place of death: Paris, France

More Facts

education: University Of Paris

  • 1

    What role did Marquis de Lafayette play in the American Revolution?

    Marquis de Lafayette served as a major-general in the Continental Army and became a close ally of George Washington.

  • 2

    What impact did Marquis de Lafayette have on the French Revolution?

    Marquis de Lafayette played a key role in the early stages of the French Revolution, advocating for moderate reforms and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.

  • 3

    How did Marquis de Lafayette contribute to the abolition of the slave trade?

    Marquis de Lafayette was a vocal advocate for the abolition of the slave trade and worked towards promoting the cause of freedom and equality for all individuals.

  • 4

    What were some of Marquis de Lafayette's key achievements as a statesman?

    Marquis de Lafayette played a crucial role in promoting democratic ideals and constitutional monarchy in France, as well as advocating for the protection of individual liberties.

  • 5

    How did Marquis de Lafayette influence the development of the United States and France?

    Marquis de Lafayette's support for democracy, liberty, and human rights left a lasting impact on both the United States and France, shaping their political landscapes for years to come.

Childhood & Early Life
Lafayette was born at the chateau de Chavaniac, in Chavaniac, near Le Puy-en-Velay, in the modern department of Haute-Loire to Michel Louis Christophe Roch Gilbert Paulette du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette and Marie Louise Jolie de La Riviere.
His father was colonel of grenadiers and was killed in battle during the Seven Years War, and his mother and grandmother both died in 1770, and they left Lafayette a large inheritance.
He attended the College du Plessis (Lycee Louis-le-Grand) and in 1771, he started his training to become an officer at the Musketeers of military Household of King of France.
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Career
Lafayette was increasingly getting inspired to join the American Revolution after listening to various stories about it and finally in 1776, he arranged through an American agent in Paris, to enter the American service as a major general.
In 1777, he cruised to America, masquerading as a woman, even after he was threatened by the British government and was told that his ship will be seized and he would be imprisoned if he disobeys the orders.
The Continental Congress in America commissioned him as a major-general and George Washington accepted him as his aide-de-camp since making him a commander with control of a division was not possible as he was of foreign birth.
His first major warfare responsibility came with the Battle of Brandywine; he was shot in the leg. George Washington appealed to the doctors to take particular care of Lafayette, which made the bond between the two even stronger.
In 1778, he outmaneuvered the British army that was sent to incarcerate him at Bunker Hill, which was later renamed ‘Lafayette Hill’, and assembled an unsteady Continental attack at Monmouth Courthouse to force an impasse.
Lafayette returned to France in 1781 and was received at Versailles as a hero. He was made the marechal de camp and worked along with Thomas Jefferson to form trade ties between France and America.
He was againt the slave trade and on his return to America in 1784, he pressed the matter with the House of Delegates where he called for "liberty of all mankind" and advocated liberation.
King Louis XVI appointed Lafayette to the Assembly of Notables in 1786 to address the growing issue of France's fiscal crisis. Lafayette suggested lowering needless spending, especially buying of futile estates and gifts for courtiers.
Lafayette was made commander-in-chief of the National Guard of France - an armed force assembled to preserve order under the control of the Assembly in 1789. He led the National Guard army to Versailles after women marched there because of scarcity of bread.
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In 1790, Lafayette took the civic oath on the Champs de Mars, swearing to ''be ever faithful to the nation, to the law, and to the king; to support with our utmost power the constitution decreed by the National Assembly, and accepted by the king''
Lafayette had been responsible for the royal family's custody and when he nearly failed to do it in 1791 he was called a royalist and his stature continued to decline in the public eye after that.
Due to 'Flight to Varennes' and 'Champs de Mars Massacre', people’s distrust in Lafayette continued to grow. He resigned from the National Guard and when he ran against Jerome Petion de Villeneuve in the mayoral election, he lost.
With the beginning of war against Austria and Prussia in 1792 Lafayette returned to the military life as commander of the army of the Ardennes. He was taken into custody and detained as a prisoner of war for next five years.
He was released in 1797, when Napoleon got hold of his discharge from the jail but he was still not permitted back into France. He returned back after a few years with military annuity and permission to live in Lagrange.
Lafayette was elected to the Legislative Chamber when Napoleon resigned in 1814 but after his return to the monarchy, Lafayette was made to hold the position as a leader of the opposition to Kings Louis XVIII and Charles X.
He visited America again in 1824, and the Congress rewarded him for his contribution in the American Revolution. He was called the 'Hero of Two Worlds' in France when he returned back.
Awards & Acheivements
On his trip to America in 1784, Lafayette was awarded with an honorary degree from Harvard, a portrait of Washington from the city of Boston, and a bust from the state of Virginia.
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As an honor for his contribution to the American Revolution he was made a natural born citizen of America.
Lafayette's whole life is an inspiration, a symbol of friendship between America and France, of a better world where rights and liberties are worth fighting for. His contribution in the American Revolution is his biggest work in life.
Personal Life & Legacy
Lafayette was married to 14 year old Marie Adrienne Fran�oise de Noailles, marquise de La Fayette, the daughter of Jean de Noailles, and Henriette Anne Louise d'Aguesseau.
Because both of them were very young at the time they got married, Adrienne's mother managed their courtship and kept them apart for a year. The couple had four children together: Henriette, Anastasie, Georges Washington and Virginie.
Lafayette died in Paris in 1834. He was buried next to his wife at the Picpus Cemetery and was given a military funeral in order to keep the public away. Crowds assembled together to protest their omission from Lafayette's funeral.
Facts About Marquis de Lafayette

Marquis de Lafayette was a key figure in both the American and French Revolutions, earning him the nickname "The Hero of Two Worlds."

Lafayette was a strong advocate for the abolition of slavery and actively worked towards its eradication in France and its colonies.

Lafayette inherited a large fortune at a young age but chose to use his wealth to support causes he believed in, such as liberty and equality.

Lafayette was known for his close friendship with George Washington, whom he greatly admired and considered a mentor.

Lafayette was a skilled military leader and strategist, playing a crucial role in several pivotal battles during the American Revolution.

See the events in life of Marquis De Lafayette in Chronological Order

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- Marquis de Lafayette Biography
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