Lafayette

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Lafayette

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1fmcgraw
Jan 13, 2007, 10:54 pm

I watched a series on The History Channel recently called Washington's Generals. One episode featured Lafayette and I was surprised to see how little I knew of him but how interesting he was. Can anyone recommend a good biography?

2GoofyOcean110
Fév 20, 2007, 9:05 pm

Unfortunately, I don't have an answer to your question, but I do have a similar one - a number of books discuss Dr. Benjamin Rush, friend of Ben Franklin, John Adams, Jefferson, etc. Has anyone seen a good biography of Rush?

3jbd1
Fév 20, 2007, 10:52 pm

fmcgraw, there's a new book out on the relationship between Washington and Lafayette: Adopted Son by David Clary. It just arrived for me to review so I can't pronounce upon it yet, but I thought it might be of interest to you.

bfertig, there are a few Rush biographies out there, including Benjamin Rush by David Barton and Benjamin Rush: Patriot and Physician by Alyn Brodsky. I've used both successfully in various research projects involving rush, but can't say I've ever read either front to back. The Autobiography of Benjamin Rush is long out of print, but is a wonderful read (if heavily edited). Liberty Press also did a volume of the letters between Adams and Rush, The Spur of Fame, which is excellent.

4fmcgraw
Mar 9, 2007, 9:11 pm

jbd1, thanks. Coincidentally i noticed an ad for that book in the NY Times Book Review a few weeks ago and wrote it down to look for. I'd be curious for your thoughts though, if you are able to share any when you've read it.

5jbd1
Mar 9, 2007, 9:31 pm

Sure will! It's getting closer to the top of the pile, hopefully within two weeks or so.

6torrey23
Mai 23, 2012, 7:16 pm

I just picked up a book called Lafayette by Harlow Giles Unger. I have not yet read it, but I am expecting it to be good.

7Muscogulus
Modifié : Juin 3, 2012, 10:22 am

Lafayette's tour of the United States as an old man, just before the fiftieth anniversary of independence in 1826, has been studied recently as an important episode in the formation of national identity. In general I think Lafayette is enjoying a reassessment by both French and American historians, where prior generations had written him off as a genial enthusiast who got caught up in events he didn't really understand. Now he gets a good deal more respect. It often takes historians a long time to appreciate influential but self-effacing people, while self-promoters are often overestimated.

America's Jubilee is about the 1826 anniversary and has a good deal to say about Lafayette's tour. The French account published in 1829 by Lafayette's secretary, Lafayette in America, was finally translated in its entirety only a few years ago. The only prior English translation was a piece of hack work that omits much of the original. The new translation is an act of devotion to Lafayette by a translator who is anxious to help raise the marquis' reputation.

8Jestak
Juin 3, 2012, 11:41 am

For Liberty and Glory by James R. Gaines is another good read on Lafayette and his relationship with Washington.

9TLCrawford
Juin 3, 2012, 7:49 pm

#2 & 3 I am researching one of Rush's students at the Philadelphia Medical College and it seems you have pointed out some resources before I even knew I needed them.