The Marquis de Lafayette
This bronze bust at the New Hampshire Historical Society portrays the Marquis de Lafayette, the young French aristocrat who became one of America’s most enduring allies. Born Gilbert du Motier in 1757, Lafayette was only nineteen when he decided to support the colonies in their struggle for independence.
Lafayette traveled to America at his own expense and offered his services to the Continental Congress without requesting payment. Commissioned as a major general in the Continental Army, he formed a close relationship with George Washington and served in several important military campaigns. He was wounded at the Battle of Brandywine and later played a significant role in the campaign that ended with the British surrender at Yorktown.
His contribution extended beyond the battlefield. Lafayette returned to France and used his influence to encourage greater French military and financial support for the American cause. His commitment to the Revolution made him a symbol of the friendship between France and the United States.
In 1824, President James Monroe invited Lafayette to return as the “Nation’s Guest”. During his thirteen-month tour, Lafayette visited all twenty-four states and was welcomed by enormous crowds. He visited Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in September 1824 and returned for a more extensive journey through the state in June 1825, including a reception in Concord attended by thousands.
The bust presents Lafayette in the uniform of a Revolutionary officer, preserving the image of the young man who crossed the Atlantic to support a country that was not his own. His presence in the New Hampshire Historical Society reflects the affection Americans retained for him long after the Revolution and the important place he held in the nation’s memory.
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