Marquis de La Fayette

Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de La Fayette, known to Americans as Lafayette is a national hero to both France and America.

A French nobleman born to rank and privilege in the decadent era before the French Revolution, he heard the political theories in France that would later form the basis for that revolution and adopted them. He traveled against orders to the Americas, obtained a commission as a Major General from the Continental Congress, and was George Washington's chief aide for most of the war.

Got a Big Damn Heroes when he disappeared for a bit to only show up again with the French Fleet, blockading the British Fleet and their troops causing them to surrender and win the American War for Independence. Very well liked, he helped in the Treaty of Paris that ended the war and proceeded to find two new causes, Abolitionism and reform in France. He led parts of the early French Revolution to try and reform the system, but lost when the Jacobians became too powerful to ignore. Spent parts of the period imprisoned, then in political exile. He refused offers to govern Louisiana in order to attempt to reform France.

Eventually his efforts led to him being Offered the Crown, but he declined.

Very well liked by Americans, where nearly every state has a town of Lafayette. When Colonel Charles E. Stanton reached La Fayette's tomb he was moved to say "La Fayette We are here"