ARLINGTON, Va. - s4story -- by Michael F. Bishop for David Bruce Smith's Grateful American Book Prize

The birth of the Marquis de Lafayette

On September 6, 1757, Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier—the Marquis de Lafayette—one of history's greatest advocates for freedom—was raised in the French aristocracy and became a military officer whose contributions to the Revolutionary War and French Revolution transformed him into a hero in two countries.

Lafayette was inspired by Enlightenment ideals and America's struggle for independence. At the age of 19 in 1777, he defied his country's authorities and sailed for the United States to join the Continental Army; there, he was compelled by a desire for glory and a belief in universal liberty. Eventually, he was commissioned as a major general, formed an intimate friendship with George Washington, and evolved into his trusted aide and advisor. Lafayette's strategic leadership at the Battle of Brandywine, Yorktown, and elsewhere helped secure Britain's surrender.

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Lafayette's charm and diplomacy also buttressed Franco-American ties and facilitated crucial financial aid. His commitment to the American cause earned him enduring admiration in the United States.

After an eventful, turbulent, and nearly fatal set of experiences during the French Revolution, Lafayette lived quietly until his triumphant return to the United States in 1824 for a sixteen-month tour of the nation he helped to create. Lafayette remains a symbol of transatlantic revolutionary ideals, with numerous American cities, institutions, and monuments named in his honor. His life reflects a relentless pursuit of liberty, tempered by a pragmatic vision of governance.

For more information, the Grateful American Book Prize recommends Ryan Cole's The Last Adieu: Lafayette's Triumphant Return, the Echoes of Revolution, and the Gratitude of the Republic.

History Matters is a feature courtesy of the Grateful American Book Prize. For more book recommendations and information about the annual award visit https://gratefulamericanbookprize.org/.