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The '''Marquis de Lafayette''' (Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier) (1757 - 1834) was a [[French]] nobleman and General. He emerged during the [[American Revolutionary War]] and later during the [[French Revolution]], initially as a revolutionary and later as a more conservative force.

The '''Marquis de Lafayette''' (Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier) (1757 - 1834) was a [[French]] nobleman and General. He emerged during the [[American Revolutionary War]] and later during the [[French Revolution]], initially as a revolutionary and later as a more conservative force.

Lafayette was orphaned at a young age on the death of his wealthy land owner parents. He married at sixteen to 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]],<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 twelfth 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 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 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 force on November 25, 1777, Lafayette was appointed a command position of one of Washington's divisions.<ref name="virt" />