Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette was a French aristocrat and military officer born September 6 1757. His father died when he was only two. At age 12 his mother passed away a few weeks after his grandfather had also died. He was a very wealthy young orphan. At age 16 he married Marie Adrienne Francoise de Noailles, who was related to the king. He studied at College du Plessis, which was only for aristocrat boys.
In 1775 he started his military training in Metz. The commander invited him to a dinner with Duke of Gloucester who spoke about the struggle going on with the colonies. Now he wanted to join the colonies, but the king would not support this, either way, he did. He was appointed major general. Being there, he persuaded many French officers to join him. He later met Washington and made a great friendship, though de Lafayette was only 20. During Valley Forge camps, some military wanted to turn against Washington but De Lafayette convinced them not to and gave them a much needed support for the war. He started teaching them new battle tactics.
He returned to France in February 1779 but was put under arrest for disobeying the king, who didn't want him to go to America. He continued aiding the Americans and secured other 6000 soldiers to go fight with the colonists.
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