(signed in by all the members)
Friday October 1, 1824
Philosophical Hall
104 South Fifth Street, Independence Square, First Floor
Military
Politics, Diplomacy & Law
Occupation: Aristocrat and General
Residence: France
RECORD OF STRANGERS IMAGE
Volume 2
Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette, September 6, 1757 — May 20, 1834
Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette was a French aristocrat who became a military officer and fought for the United States in the American Revolutionary War. Lafayette became known as a national hero, and toured the United States advocating for various causes including the creation of a federal union and the emancipation of slaves. His entry into the Record of Strangers is unique in that it shows Lafayette as being signed in by "all the members", as opposed to a single introducing member, and is indicative of his status as a national hero. Lafayette was also made the Athenaeum's first honorary member on July 18, 1825, as documented in a letter signed by Athenaeum secretary William McIlhenney, Jr., which is now held in the Athenaeum's collection. The Record of Strangers indicates that Lafayette's son, Georges Washington de La Fayette, along with Lafayette's secretary were signed in on the same day by member Peter S. Du Ponceau, who also served in the American Revolution.
Portrait courtesy of Smithsonian Open Access — Source — Source — Source
