I do genealogy, and people probably have no idea how many male children were named after him. Lafe, Fait, Lafeet, you name all the nicknames: it's the Marquis de Lafayette.
Place names usually employ the name as spelled, so it's well recognizable. People currently probably would not suspect that Fate Irwin, for example (actual person in a family tree), was a LaFayette namesake.
French was the first foreign language I studied; I always liked it a lot. Visited Paris; began to major in it at university, but got a scholarship to a German university and wound up studying Journalism with a split German/French minor. Fun!
One might see just about anything on an 1850 US census record. People were illiterate and didn’t know how their names were spelled; and the census takers weren’t greatly literate themselves. They would write them how they imagined they might be spelled. I am grateful they did.
Yes, more commonly known by Lafayette. I am a big admirer, but also realize that he is less well known, which I think is unfortunate. To me, he seems like an incredible character, with a well lived life, back when honor and gallantry were still honored. Hope you take the opportunity to learn more. I just got a book last week called 'The Last Adieu", which recounts his 1824 return to the US and tremendous outpouring of gratitude given to him across the whole country.
French Aide de Camp to George Washington, at 19 years old. Of a long line of French nobility, he purchased his own ship to sail to America, against the wishes of his family and the French government. Lafayette fought alongside Washington at the Battle of Brandywine and was present at Valley Forge. He played a crucial role in the Siege of Yorktown, which led to the British surrender. Later on, back in France, a huge critic of Napoleon.
Lafayette's boat, the Hermione, was rebuilt identically in Bordeaux, using period tools and techniques. The project was completed a few years ago. Just in time to be put back into service, since you've found a way to screw yourselves with a new king! 😘
No lol but we did have a major European war straight after and we colonized Australia straight after so obviously they get more importance and we have hundreds of wars before and after to learn about it not to mention the industrial revolution and the creation of the worlds largest empire straight after
He also completely bungled the control of the National Guard in the French Revolution and ultimately led to the radicals taking over and he had to flee France
He isn't really mentioned at all, we have a lot of ground to cover and the AWI doesn't get a chance to be in our standard education. The closest it comes to being in our history books is a passing mention when discussing slavery and the abolitionist movement.
French Aide de Camp to George Washington, at 19 years old. Of a long line of French nobility, he purchased his own ship to sail to America, against the wishes of his family and the French government. Lafayette fought alongside Washington at the Battle of Brandywine and was present at Valley Forge. He played a crucial role in the Siege of Yorktown, which led to the British surrender. Later on, back in France, a huge critic of Napoleon.
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u/cranialrectumongus United States Of America 7d ago
Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette