Marquis de Lafayette
1757–1834 · French · American & French Revolutions
Known for: French aristocrat who became a hero of the American Revolution, serving as major general under Washington
Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, was a 19-year-old French aristocrat who sailed to America at his own expense to fight for liberty—and became one of the most beloved figures in American history. He was wounded at Brandywine, endured Valley Forge, and commanded troops at Yorktown. George Washington treated him as a surrogate son.
He later played a central role in the French Revolution, drafting the Declaration of the Rights of Man. He tried to chart a moderate course between monarchy and radicalism, failed, and spent five years in an Austrian prison. He remained devoted to liberty his entire life, visiting America in 1824 to a hero's welcome.
Browse all 1,000 figures by category
Enable JavaScript to view the full "if they lived today" Q&A and personality profile.