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Marquis de Lafayette

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The Marquis de Lafayette was a famous soldier and leader.

Lafayette-scheffer
Lafayette-scheffer

He was born in 1757 in Chavaniac, France. His family was very wealthy and owned much land. They had a long history of being brave soldiers. Lafayette followed this tradition at a very young age. He became a military officer when he was only 13.

Château de Chavaniac Chavaniac-Lafayette
Château de Chavaniac Chavaniac-Lafayette

He grew up in a world of kings and grand palaces.

Lafayette wanted to help the American colonies fight for freedom. He believed the cause was noble and right. In 1776, he worked with a man named Silas Deane.

Lafayette and Deane
Lafayette and Deane

He was made a major general at age 19. He traveled to America to join the Continental Army. He worked closely with General George Washington during the war.

Washington and Lafayette at Valley Forge
Washington and Lafayette at Valley Forge

Lafayette even used his own money to buy a ship. He named the ship Victoire to help him reach the Americas.

He fought in many important battles across the colonies. Lafayette was wounded during the Battle of Brandywine in Pennsylvania.

Woundedatbrandywine
Woundedatbrandywine

He also served with distinction at the Battle of Rhode Island. In 1781, he led troops during the siege of Yorktown.

Plan of the Battle of Yorktown 1875
Plan of the Battle of Yorktown 1875

His troops blocked a British army led by Lord Cornwallis. This big victory helped the Americans win their independence. He became a true hero to the new nation.

Lafayette later returned to France to help his own country. He became a leader during the French Revolution in 1789.

Declaration of Human Rights
Declaration of Human Rights

He helped write the Declaration of the Rights of Man. Thomas Jefferson helped him with this very important document. Lafayette also worked to end the unfair practice of slavery. Life was hard and he spent five years in prison.

Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette from NPG
Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette from NPG

He was finally released in 1797 by Napoleon Bonaparte.

People often call him "The Hero of the Two Worlds."

Washington and Lafayette at Mount Vernon, 1784 by Rossiter and Mignot, 1859
Washington and Lafayette at Mount Vernon, 1784 by Rossiter and Mignot, 1859

This is because he served both France and the United States. In 1824, he visited the United States as a special guest. He traveled to all 24 states in the union. Many people were very happy to see him again. He died in France on 20 May 1834. He is buried in Paris under soil from Bunker Hill.

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🖼️ Images & Media (29)
File:Château de Chavaniac Chavaniac-Lafayette.jpg
Château de Chavaniac Chavaniac-Lafayette.jpg
File:Marie Adrienne Francoise de Noailles, French School 18th century copy.jpg
Marie Adrienne Francoise de Noailles,...
File:Lafayette Metz Palais Justice 2010.jpg
Lafayette Metz Palais Justice 2010.jpg
File:Lafayette and Deane.jpg
Lafayette and Deane.jpg
File:Stèle La Fayette sur le port de plaisance de Pauillac.jpg
Stèle La Fayette sur le port de plaisance...
File:Pasajes_de_San_Juan_-_Memorial_del_Marqués_de_La_Fayette.jpg
Pasajes_de_San_Juan_-_Memorial_del_Marqués...
File:First meeting of Washington and Lafayette, Currier and Ives 1876.jpg
First meeting of Washington and...
File:Woundedatbrandywine.jpg
Woundedatbrandywine.jpg
File:Washington and Lafayette at Valley Forge.jpg
Washington and Lafayette at Valley Forge.jpg
File:Barren-hill-map.jpg
Barren-hill-map.jpg
File:Monmouth-map.jpg
Monmouth-map.jpg
File:Rhode-island-map.jpg
Rhode-island-map.jpg

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