Name: Gilbert du Motier de LaFayette [FN1]
Date of Birth: September 6, 1757
Date of Death: May 20, 1834 (age: 76)
List of Offices Held:
Member of Estates-General: 1787-1789
Territorial Governor of Orleans: 1804 - 1816 [FN2]
Governor of Orleans: 1816 - 1820
United States Senator: 1821 - 1827 [FN3]
[FN1] Although de LaFayette was a name associated with his former title as Marquis; upon his emigration to the United States it became popularly seen as his surname and was adopted as such by his children
[FN2] The POD: Lafayette follows through on his plans to flee to the United States, rather than returnin to France and making peace with Napoleon. Settling initially in New York, he is asked by his friend Jefferson to become the Territorial Governor of Orleans, to which he agrees. During this time, he organizes the settlement of French refugees in New Orleans, passes a gradual emancipation bill following the German Coast Rebellion, a pro-slavery rebellion by Anglo planters and oversees the defense of New Orleans during the War of 1812. Over the course of his governorship he becomes a controversial public figure within the United States (of which the French would agree, and his reputation there was also rather controversial to say the least)
[FN3] Despite controversy, his status as a hero of the Battle of New Orleans is undeniable, and his two terms as an elected governor were successful. He is elected to a single term as United States Senator. Despite talk of him being named the Minister to France, his frayed relationship with President John Quincy Adams makes this unrealistic. Feeling his age and longing for retirement, he refuses to run for reelection and returns to his estates in the State of Orleans. He lives long enough to see his son, George Washington LaFayette elected Governor and then Senator of the State of Orleans before passing away in 1834.
