George Washington’s Forgotten Friend: The French Nobleman Who Helped Win American Independence – VA

As part of our continued celebration of America’s 250th, join us during National Park Week for a special presentation exploring the story of François‑Jean de Chastellux—one of George Washington’s most trusted allies and a key, yet often overlooked, figure in securing American independence.

Our guest speaker, Dr. Iris de Rode, is a historian specializing in the French role in the American Revolution and the history of the Franco-American alliance. She is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Karsh Institute of Democracy at the University of Virginia. Her award-winning first book on François-Jean de Chastellux received the Prix Guizot from the Académie Française, and her research has appeared in leading academic journals and popular publications.

In addition to her scholarly work, de Rode serves as a historical advisor for museums, documentaries, and public history initiatives in both Europe and the United States. She was an advisor and on-screen historian for The American Revolution, the documentary series directed by Ken Burns. A frequent international speaker, she has lectured at universities, museums, historic sites, embassies, and cultural institutions, and regularly collaborates on projects commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. She is currently completing a new trade book on the Franco-American alliance during the Revolutionary War (Random House, forthcoming 2028).