John Laurens: The Abolitionist Revolutionary Who Died at 29
John Laurens, who was born in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1754, came from a wealthy plantation background. He played a crucial role in the American Revolution as a brave officer and was a strong advocate for abolition. After studying law in London and mastering French in Europe, he returned to the Thirteen Colonies in 1777 with his father, Henry, who was part of the Continental Congress. Laurens enlisted as a lieutenant colonel and served as an aide to George Washington, forming a close alliance with Alexander Hamilton and the Marquis de Lafayette. He fought valiantly at the Battle of Brandywine and was wounded at Germantown. Captured in 1780, he later returned to aid in the Siege of Yorktown and tragically died on August 27, 1782, at the Battle of Combahee River, leaving behind a legacy of courage and commitment to freedom.
Key facts
- John Laurens was born in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1754.
- He served as an aide-de-camp to George Washington with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
- He fought alongside Alexander Hamilton and the Marquis de Lafayette.
- He was wounded at the Battle of Germantown and had his horse shot from under him at Monmouth.
- In December 1778, he dueled General Charles Lee, wounding him.
- He advocated for a Black regiment in the Continental Army but was opposed by slaveholding politicians.
- He was captured by the British in 1780 and later released in a prisoner exchange.
- He helped negotiate the British surrender at Yorktown in 1781.
- He was killed on August 27, 1782, at the Battle of Combahee River.
- He was 29 years old at the time of his death.
Entities
Artists
- John Laurens
- Henry Laurens
- George Washington
- Alexander Hamilton
- Marquis de Lafayette
- Charles Lee
- John Singleton Copley
- Charles Henry Jeans
- Charles Wilson Peale
- George Peter Alexander Healy
- John Trumbull
Institutions
- Continental Congress
- Continental Army
- National Portrait Gallery
Locations
- Charleston
- South Carolina
- United States
- London
- England
- Europe
- Thirteen Colonies
- Battle of Brandywine
- Pennsylvania
- Battle of Germantown
- Battle of Monmouth
- New Jersey
- France
- Siege of Yorktown
- Virginia
- Battle of Combahee River