Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette - French Aristocrat and Military Officer (Biography)

Gilbert du Motier, marquis de La Fayette - French Aristocrat and Military Officer is the biography of Gilbert du Motier, marquis de La Fayette, a French military officer and former aristocrat who participated in both the American and French revolutions. He permanently renounced the nobility and the title "Marquis" before the French National Assembly on June 19, 1790. Even though he was already adopted by George Washington, he was twice granted Honorary Citizenship of the United States, first in 1824 (along with his descendants in perpetuity), and again, posthumously in 2002; one of only six specific persons so honored. Lafayette served in the American Revolutionary War both as a general and as a diplomat, serving entirely without pay in both roles. Accused by Jean-Paul Marat of responsibility for the "Massacre of the Champ de Mars" (before which, Lafayette was nearly assassinated), he subsequently was forced out of a leading role in the Revolution by Jacobin-Terror anarchists. On August 19, 1792, the Jacobin party seized control of Paris and the National Assembly, ordering Lafayette's arrest. He fled France and was arrested by the Austrian army in Rochefort, Belgium. Thereafter, he spent five years in various British Empire-Allied- (Prussian and then Austrian) Empire prisons. After a strenuous effort by his brave wife, that was aided by the French Directory that forced Napoleon's Army toward Austria, he was released in 1797; however, Napoleon did not want Lafayette to return to France and hoped he would leave forever to the United States. After three years in exile he quietly returned (aided--again, by his wife) and continued to be active in French and European politics until his death in 1834. Gilbert du Motier, marquis de La Fayette - French Aristocrat is highly recommended for those interested in learning more about the history and story of this legendary general and diplomat.