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Lafayette in Uniform [Octogonal medal, silver, 35 mm], 1781

 Item — Box: 187
Identifier: Item 1

Scope and Contents

O: Bust of Lafayette facing right, in a tie-whig, uniform, with his name spelled the French way [La Fayette.] R: the seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia showing Virtue, sword and spear in hands, with her foot on the prostrate form of Tyranny, whose crown lies nearby, with the state motto: "Sic semper tyrannis." Recommended by George Mason to the Virginia Convention in 1776, the phrase is attributed to Brutus at the assassination of Julius Caesar. The seal was designed by George Wythe, who helped draft the Virginia Constitution, signed the United States Declaration of Independence, and taught law to Thomas Jefferson. The medal is not listed by Olivier and apparently very scarce. White.

Dates

  • 1781

Creator

Language of Materials

Collection material mainly in French, with a few items in English.

Extent

49.6 cubic feet. (49.6 cubic feet.)

Repository Details

Part of the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections Repository

Contact:
2B Carl A. Kroch Library
Cornell University
Ithaca NY 14853
607-255-3530
607-255-9524 (Fax)