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Lafayette was orphaned at a young age on the death of his wealthy land owner parents. In 1768, he entered the College of Louis-le-Grand. He married at sixteen to Anastasie Adrienne de Noailles, a fourteen year old girl, before traveling at the age of 19 and arrived in North America to assist the colonists in the War of Independence. He gained such influence that he helped write the American [[Constitution]], which was later to be of use in assisting to write the French version after the French Revolution overthrew the monarchy.

Lafayette was orphaned at a young age on the death of his wealthy land owner parents. In 1768, he entered the College of Louis-le-Grand. He married at sixteen to Anastasie Adrienne de Noailles, a fourteen year old girl, before traveling at the age of 19 and arrived in North America to assist the colonists in the War of Independence. He gained such influence that he helped write the American [[Constitution]], which was later to be of use in assisting to write the French version after the French Revolution overthrew the monarchy.

==In the American Revolution==

==In the American Revolution==

Lafayette learned of the then [[Britain|British]] colonies' cause through the [[Duke of Gloucester]]; finding himself sympathetic to this cause, he sailed to [[Charleston, North Carolina|Charleston]], [[North Carolina]], arriving with twelve other French officers, and landed, 14 June, 1777, at Georgetown, S. C. <ref name="Forge">{{cite web|url=http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/served/lafayette.html|format=HTML|language=English|title=The Marquis de Lafayette|work=The Historic Valley Forge|accessdate=2007-10-10}}</ref> and enlisted as a volunteer at his own expense.<ref name="virt">{{cite web|url=http://www.marquisdelafayette.net/|work=Virtualology.com|format=HTML|language=English|title=Marquis de Lafayette|accessdate=2007-10-10}}</ref> Congress subsequently appointed him a major-general.<ref name="virt" />

Lafayette learned of the then [[Britain|British]] colonies' cause through the [[Duke of Gloucester]]; finding himself sympathetic to this cause, he sailed to [[Charleston, North Carolina|Charleston]], [[North Carolina]], arriving with twelve other French officers, and landed, 14 June 1777, at Georgetown, S. C.<ref name="Forge">{{cite web|url=http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/served/lafayette.html|language=English|title=The Marquis de Lafayette|work=The Historic Valley Forge|accessdate=2007-10-10}}</ref> and enlisted as a volunteer at his own expense.<ref name="virt">{{cite web|url=http://www.marquisdelafayette.net/|work=Virtualology.com|language=English|title=Marquis de Lafayette|accessdate=2007-10-10}}</ref> Congress subsequently appointed him a major-general.<ref name="virt" />

Lafayette met [[George Washington]] - and a relationship that would last till Washington's death accrued. Lafayette became a member of Washington's staff. After defeating a numerically superior [[Hessian (soldier)|Hessian force]] on November 25, 1777, Lafayette was appointed a command position of one of Washington's divisions.<ref name="virt" />  

Lafayette met [[George Washington]] - and a relationship that would last till Washington's death accrued. Lafayette became a member of Washington's staff. After defeating a numerically superior [[Hessian (soldier)|Hessian force]] on November 25, 1777, Lafayette was appointed a command position of one of Washington's divisions.<ref name="virt" />  

Soon after, Lafayette was ordered to command an invasion of Canada - a move which Washington was against (yet despite protest from Lafayette, it was Washington who told him he should accept the role). Lafayette arrived in [[Albany]], [[New York]]. The fact that the plan was poorly contrived in addition to a lack of support from [[New England|New Englanders]] resulted in the invasion being called off.<ref name="Forge" /> Lafayette returned to Washington's camp in April 1778.<ref name="virt" />

Soon after, Lafayette was ordered to command an invasion of Canada - a move which Washington was against (yet despite protest from Lafayette, it was Washington who told him he should accept the role). Lafayette arrived in [[Albany]], [[New York]]. The fact that the plan was poorly contrived in addition to a lack of support from [[New England]]ers resulted in the invasion being called off.<ref name="Forge" /> Lafayette returned to Washington's camp in April 1778.<ref name="virt" />

[[File:La Fayette wounded at the battle of Brandywine.jpg|thumb|left|Lafayette wounded at the battle of Brandywine.]]

[[File:La Fayette wounded at the battle of Brandywine.jpg|thumb|left|Lafayette wounded at the battle of Brandywine.]]

Seeing the desire of cooperation between both the Americans and French, Lafayette felt he could best serve the revolutionary cause in France. After a fever delayed him, on February 12, 1779, Lafayette arrived in Paris. Lafayette convinced France to send their first naval and land forces to the Americas. To avoid tensions between American and French officers, Lafayette recommended that the French generals be seen as junior to the American generals of equivalent rank.<ref name="virt" />

Seeing the desire of cooperation between both the Americans and French, Lafayette felt he could best serve the revolutionary cause in France. After a fever delayed him, on February 12, 1779, Lafayette arrived in Paris. Lafayette convinced France to send their first naval and land forces to the Americas. To avoid tensions between American and French officers, Lafayette recommended that the French generals be seen as junior to the American generals of equivalent rank.<ref name="virt" />

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In 1784, after the peace, ''at Washington's invitation, he returned to the United States, and after a visit to Mount Vernon made a journey through the country from Virginia to Massachusetts. On 25 Dec., 1784, he sailed from New York in the French frigate "Nymphe." In 1785 he traveled in Germany. About this time he was deeply interested in the abolition of slavery, and purchased a large plantation in Cayenne, where great numbers of slaves might be educated with a view to gradual emancipation. Washington, Jefferson, and others were interested in this experiment, which it was hoped might furnish an example for imitation in the United States.'' <ref> [http://www.marquisdelafayette.net/ Marquis De Lafayette.] </ref>

In 1784, after the peace, ''at Washington's invitation, he returned to the United States, and after a visit to Mount Vernon made a journey through the country from Virginia to Massachusetts. On 25 Dec., 1784, he sailed from New York in the French frigate "Nymphe." In 1785 he traveled in Germany. About this time he was deeply interested in the abolition of slavery, and purchased a large plantation in Cayenne, where great numbers of slaves might be educated with a view to gradual emancipation. Washington, Jefferson, and others were interested in this experiment, which it was hoped might furnish an example for imitation in the United States.'' <ref>[http://www.marquisdelafayette.net/ Marquis De Lafayette.]</ref>

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After 1782, Lafayette was absorbed with questions of reform in France. He was one of the first to advocate a National Assembly, and worked toward the establishment of a constitutional monarchy during the years leading up to the [[French Revolution]]. <ref> [http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/95sep/lafayette.html Marquis de Lafayette, Soldier & Statesman.] </ref>

After 1782, Lafayette was absorbed with questions of reform in France. He was one of the first to advocate a National Assembly, and worked toward the establishment of a constitutional monarchy during the years leading up to the [[French Revolution]].<ref>[http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/95sep/lafayette.html Marquis de Lafayette, Soldier & Statesman.]</ref>

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He died in [[Paris]] on May 20, 1834; ''his remains were interred beside those of his wife in the cemetery of Picpus in the faubourg Saint-Antoine. He left one son, George Washington Lafayette (1779 - 1849), and two daughters, Anastasie and Virginie; the elder married Charles de Latour Maubourg, and the younger the Count de Lasteyrie.'' [[Ibidem]]

He died in [[Paris]] on May 20, 1834; ''his remains were interred beside those of his wife in the cemetery of Picpus in the faubourg Saint-Antoine. He left one son, George Washington Lafayette (1779 - 1849), and two daughters, Anastasie and Virginie; the elder married Charles de Latour Maubourg, and the younger the Count de Lasteyrie.'' [[Ibidem]]

In 2002, in honor for his services, Lafayette was made an honorary citizen of Virginia.<ref>{{cite web|work=Library of Congress|title=CONFERRING HONORARY CITIZENSHIP OF THE UNITED STATES POSTHUMOUSLY ON MARIE JOSEPH PAUL YVES ROCHE GILBERT DU MOTIER, THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE|date=2002-07-19|language=English|format=HTML|accessdate=2007-10-10|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/cpquery/T?&report=hr595&dbname=107}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/95sep/lafayette.html|work=Lucidcafe|title=Lafayette|format=HTML|language=English}}</ref>

In 2002, in honor for his services, Lafayette was made an honorary citizen of Virginia.<ref>{{cite web|work=Library of Congress|title=CONFERRING HONORARY CITIZENSHIP OF THE UNITED STATES POSTHUMOUSLY ON MARIE JOSEPH PAUL YVES ROCHE GILBERT DU MOTIER, THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE|date=2002-07-19|language=English|accessdate=2007-10-10|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/cpquery/T?&report=hr595&dbname=107}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/95sep/lafayette.html|work=Lucidcafe|title=Lafayette|language=English}}</ref>

==See Also==

==See also==

* [[Battle of Monmouth]]

* [[Battle of Monmouth]]

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[[Category: American Revolutionary War Commanders]]

[[Category:American Revolutionary War Commanders]]

[[Category:American Revolution]]

[[Category:American Revolution]]

[[Category:French Revolution]]

[[Category:French Revolution]]