Born, 1757; died, May 19, 1834.
Lafayette’s father fell at Minden a few months before his son’s birth,
his mother died when he was an infant. Lafayette inherited a large
fortune, and at the age of seventeen married an heiress, Mdlle. de
Novilles.
Refusing brilliant offers to Court appointments, and regardless of the
entreaties of his young wife and other relatives, he insisted, when
but twenty years of age, in fitting out a ship at his own expense and
offered his sword to Washington in aid of American independence. He
fought for two years in the War of Secession, was wounded at the battle
of Brandy-Wine, and assisted in the retreat of Barren Hill, where he
showed much courage and tactical skill.
On hearing there was a likelihood of war breaking out between England
and France, he returned to Europe. He succeeded in persuading Louis
XVI. to send out 4000 troops under the joint command of Count
Rochambeau and himself to assist Washington, and this reinforcement was
mainly instrumental in obtaining the American final successes.
Lafayette defended Virginia against Lord Cornwallis, and it was he who
was the principal means of causing that commander to capitulate at York
Town.
Lafayette returned to France in 1785 with a glorious reputation.
When the States-General assembled, Lafayette was member for Auvergne.
He was elected Vice-President of the Assembly; was in Paris during the
taking of the Bastille, and used every effort in his power to produce
moderation in the Revolutionary party, of which he was a member. When
the mob attacked Versailles his presence of mind and influence over the
crowd were the means of saving the lives of the Queen and the whole
Royal Family. During their terrible drive to Paris, Lafayette rode the
whole way by the side of their carriage, and saved them from as much
outrage as possible.
His popularity declined after the flight to Varennes, which he was
suspected to have assisted. He was given the command of the army on the
frontier, and succeeded in putting these irregular troops into some
kind of order and discipline. He fell into disgrace and was deprived of
his command, owing to the fact that he dared to report unfavourably of
the Jacobin Club; forced to fly from France, arrested in Austria, and
imprisoned for five years at Olmutz.
His wife and daughters having escaped after fifteen months’ captivity
in the dungeons of Robespierre, joined him in his exile.
When at last released the Directorate forbade his return to France,
which he did not re-enter until after the events of 18 Brumaire.
Napoleon received him with favour, made him a Counsellor, and offered
him a Senatorship. He voted against the Life Consulate and the
Empire, and retired from public life until the end of the Napoleonic
_régime_.
After Waterloo he took part in the Provisionary Government which held
the reins of power until the Allies re-entered Paris. He met with
little favour from the Government of the Restoration, his opinions were
too liberal, and he was suspected of Republicanism.
In 1824 he returned to the United States, where he was received with
unbounded enthusiasm. In recognition of his services that Government
voted him in land and money a sum equivalent to £30,000.
He took a leading part in the Revolution of 1830, and greatly assisted
Louis Philippe in obtaining the sovereignty of France; for in his
opinion a constitutional monarchy was the best of republics.
He died in 1834 at the age of seventy-seven.