Americans have a vision of the Marquis de Lafayette as the brave, idealistic French nobleman who fought alongside Washington in our Revolution. And that is true. He personally contributed financial support and constantly badgered the French court on behalf of the Americans. But, as described here, his naiveté, and bumbling ambition in service of a misguided idealism caused constant problems with his family and country. (Did he never realize he was the aristocracy the Americans were rejecting?) Ultimately, a 'champion of liberty,' but also a part of the French court, he tried to play both sides during his own country's revolution, squandering any good reputation he'd made.
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