George Washington's Legacy: Marquis de Lafayette

The young Marquis arrived in America at the age of 19 ready to serve the cause of liberty in the American Revolution. He quickly became part of Washington's military family and over the years, their relationship grew to that of a father and his adoptive son. When Lafayette was imprisoned during the French Revolution, he sent his son, George Washington Lafayette to live with President and Mrs. Washington where the he was treated as family. Although they did not see each other, the friendship between Washington and Lafayette remained closely knit through correspondence. At Washington's death, Lafayette keenly felt the loss of a much beloved father figure as well as a symbol to the world of quiet leadership and honor. www.mountvernon.org