American History Database: Marquis de LafayetteMarie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette was the most notable French figure involved in the American Revolution. Though he was prominent in many other important events in France subsequently, his role in winning American independence gave him his most lasting fame and made him one of the most popular and revered foreigners in American history. He is one of only two foreigners to be awarded honorary American citizenship (the other is British Prime Minister Winston Churchill).
