General Lafayette Statue

General Lafayette Statue

NPS / Claire Hassler

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Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

This memorial was erected in 1891 on the southeast corner of Lafayette Park. Some believe the bronze statue portrays the Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834) petitioning the French National Assembly for assistance to the Americans in their fight for independence. He stands on a marble pedestal facing south, wearing a military uniform and carrying a sword. On the south pedestal face, a bronze female figure, symbolizing America, turns toward him and imploringly lifts a sword.

Lafayette was a wealthy nineteen-year-old nobleman when he sailed his own vessel, la Victoire, to America in 1777. He sought glory as a soldier and contributed a large sum of his own money to the Americans. He was appointed a major general in the Continental army and served under General George Washington. He was wounded at Brandywine, shared the winter hardships at Valley Forge, and was a key strategist in the Yorktown campaign that led to the British surrender. Lafayette was the first foreign dignitary to address Congress in 1824, and on his death in 1834, both the House and Senate draped their chambers in black. Congress bestowed honorary citizenship on Lafayette in 2002.

Inscriptions
Pedestal, front
TO GENERAL LAFAYETTE AND HIS COMPATRIOTS
1777-1783
Pedestal, lower right
ALEXANDER FALGUIERE
ANTONIN MERCH
STATUARIES
PAUL PUJOL
ARCHITECTE
Pedestal, back
By the Congress, in commemoration of the services rendered by General Lafayette and his compatriots during the struggle for the independence of the United States of America.
Shield sculpture
MAURICE DENONVILLIERS FONDEUR
PARIS 1890