“Hero of Two Worlds” by Radjaminah St-Cyr

 Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roche Gilbert du Motier, Marquis De Layfette  Born September 6, 1757 on Chavanic, France  Father killed by British in Battle of Minden (Seven Years’ War)  Mother and Grandmoth died 1770: Orphan at 13  Left with vast inheritance, educated by Grandmother.  Studied at renowned high school “College Louis Le Grand” in Paris  Refused a prestigious career and joined the army in 1771  Joined Freemasons (17)  Joined the American Revolution (19)  Married 14 year old Marie Adrienne Francoise de Noailles, member of another prominent French family  Lafayette's daughter, Anastasia, was born in 1777 and in 1779, their son, George Washington Lafayette was born. In 1782, a daughter, Virginia, was born.

*French political leader and general *Lafayette learned of the struggle of the Americans in their attempt to secure their independence he determined to come to the colonies to help them in their efforts as a volunteer *Welcomed as a soldier without pay *The Continental Congress chosen him as major general in 1777 *r the highest rank of French nobility and motives were so patriotic in the American cause, the Congress made him a Major General on the 31st of July. *Formed a friendship with George Washington, lasting until death

*First Major combat duty came during September 1777, Battle of Brandywine *Saw action in New Jersey Major General Nathanael Greene *Ordered to go to Albany for an Invasion in Canada but there were too many men * May 1778, Washington shipped Lafayette with 2,200 men to ascertain British intentions outside Philadelphia. Aware of Lafayette's presence, the British marched out of the city with 5,000 men in an effort to capture him. In the resulting Battle of Barren Hill, Lafayette was skillfully able to extract his command and rejoin Washington.

 France in 1779, Lafayette won formal French support for the American cause a diplomatic revolution helped Revolutionary forces  Lafayette's strategic cunning and fearlessness in battle saved the Revolution many times,  French connections we played to their greatest advantage at the 1781 Battle of Yorktown.

 At the end of his life  Lafayette held firm for representative government in his country.  The great general died in  His fine work for American independence will never be forgotten and his name will always shine out on the pages of our history  May 20, 1834, 8th arrondissement of Paris, Paris, France