Lafayette

by Lucy Foster Madison

Lafayette is a name which will always strike a responsive chord in the heart of every American, young or old; and this book is the life story of that young French nobleman, the great friend of America, who gave up, for the time being, his wife, his ancestral home and all that he held dear, in order to espouse the cause of a young and struggling nation.From his earliest childhood, Lafayette saw all about him the evils of a system of monarchy which sorely oppressed the lower orders of society. He had always spoken openly against this injustice in France, and now that a chance had come for him to help an oppressed people rise, he seized it and gave himself and the major part of his fortune to the overthrow of a like system. Fortunately for us, the Lafayette whose birthday we celebrate is not the portly man past middle life, but the romantic young zealot who believed in the cause of liberty and freedom. He was no young sprig of nobility seeking the applause of the multitude, he wanted to help America with all his heart and soul.The author has gathered from many sources the wealth of material which comprises this story. She has given us the great moments in the life of the Lafayette who will appeal to children, and she has told the story in a delightfully simple manner that is forceful and telling, and easily understood.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1921

About the author

Born Lucy Foster in Kirksville, Missouri, the daughter of George W. Foster and Almira Parker, leaving her to care for her two younger sisters. She became a school teacher in Louisiana, Missouri, then in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1890 she was married to Winfield Scott Madison.

In 1893, the offer of a prize by a New York newspaper interested her enough to enter a short story and she won second place. She became a writer of both short stories and novels, plus a compiler of various Chautauqua assemblies. Her series of "Peggy Owens" stories and other tales for girls were popular early in the twentieth century. Her husband began to suffer ill health, so they moved to a farm near Hudson Falls, New York in 1924. She died there in 1932, a few days after she had a stroke.