As a young man, Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette, came to the American colonies to volunteer his services in the Revolutionary War. He gained fame on the battlefield and was instrumental in defeating General Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia. After his return to France, the Marquis became active in French politics and remained a political figure for the rest of his life.

The 16 letters written by Lafayette are generally of a social and domestic nature, concerning introductions, finances, and apologies.

There are no access restrictions on these records.

There is no use restriction on these records.

The College's collection of Lafayette material dates from 1967, when the school was persuaded through Mrs. Margaret McMahan, a Lafayette scholar, to purchase this collection of letters, monographs and realia for $3800. The collection's original owner, Melville Fuller Riley of Connecticut, had sold it to the Schindler Antique Shop of Charleston, South Carolina. To house this special collection and to add new acquisitions, a group called "The Friends of Lafayette" raised additional money.

These letters were purchased by the library in 1967 along with related books, articles, and realia.

While other letters may be added to the collection, none are expected.

Upon request, this finding aid is also available in XML as an EAD (Encoded Archival Description) file.