James Lafayette, Revolutionary War Spy

James Lafayette was a spy for the Patriots in Virginia during the fight for American Independence. Working closely with the Marquis de Lafayette, this enslaved man undertook “important commissions” and gathered “intelligences from the enemy’s camp.” This talk with Amanda Ohlke will explore how we know about James and his work as a spy for the Patriots—from speculation to documentation. 

Amanda Ohlke is Director of Adult Education at the International Spy Museum. As a key member of the Spy Museum creative team since 2004, she has worked on a wide variety of exhibitions and programs on topics ranging from unexpected spies to sabotage to current national security issues. She was on the team that developed the groundbreaking immersive experience Operation Spy, and she was the creative lead on the Museum’s “Spy in the City” GPS-based game. Her article “Mata Hari: Ripe for Recruitment” is included in Secrets on Display from the University Press of Kansas. Her writing has been featured in Museum magazine, H-Diplo and other history and museum-oriented publications. Ohlke has appeared on shows such as “Mysteries at the Museum,” The Secret History of the Civil War” and on podcasts including Galaxy Brains, Artastra, and SpyCast. She was formerly the Executive Director of the Museum Trustee Association and has worked for the National Building Museum, Nat Geo, and the Maryland Center for Arts and Culture.