Lafayette and Washington: How the Marquis de Lafayette was Integral in the Growth of Washington’s Legend

https://kent-islandora.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/starkstudentconference/2017/Presentations/30/thumbnail.jpgThis paper, in a larger sense, seeks to explain how and in what ways did George Washington’s military record help to influence his growing reputation. The best way to examine this is by looking at his comrades in arms to see how they wrote and spoke about him. A number of prominent figures were present in Washington’s life including men like Horatio Gates and Charles Lee in a purely professional capacity and men like Alexander Hamilton, Nathanael Greene, Henry Knox and the Marquis de Lafayette who worked closely with Washington during his military service and developed a deep personal relationship as well. In particular, the ways in which Marquis de Lafayette, one of the closest members of this inner circle contributed to the legend of Washington is the focus of this work. The Memoirs of Lafayette, published in 1837, a short time after his death in 1834, is an excellent way of exploring just how deep the friendship, mentorship and affection was between Washington and Lafayette and also shows how Lafayette, even at this early stage in their relationship, was already expressing his admiration and respect for Washington to almost everyone he met or corresponded with. Following this presentation, Gregg will present with a foreign language group from 11 a.m. - noon in Science and Nursing room 101.