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Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand
Prince of Benevento; Foreign Minister
"They have learned nothing, and forgotten nothing."
Biography
The ultimate survivor of French political life, Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord served as a bishop under the ancien régime, diplomat under the Revolution, Foreign Minister under Napoleon, and chief French negotiator at the Congress of Vienna — serving what he called 'France' rather than any particular government. He was born with a club foot that exempted him from military service and steered him toward the Church and diplomacy. As Napoleon's Foreign Minister he was instrumental in the diplomatic triumphs of Amiens and Tilsit, but he secretly turned against Napoleon around 1807, convinced his master's ambitions would destroy France. He secretly informed the Tsar of Napoleon's plans and at Vienna maneuvered France back into the concert of great powers with remarkable skill, securing far better terms than defeated France deserved.
Did you know?
Talleyrand was so notorious for his treachery that Napoleon once told him: 'You are silk stocking filled with excrement.' Talleyrand reportedly waited until Napoleon had left the room before remarking, 'What a pity that so great a man should be so ill-bred.'
Life Journey
Timeline
February 2, 1754
🌅 Birth
Born in Paris to an aristocratic family
1792–1796
event
Exile in England and America during the Terror
1797–1807
event
Serves as Napoleon's Foreign Minister at the height of French power
1814–1815
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Represents France at the Congress of Vienna
May 17, 1838
✝️ Death
Died in Paris, having outlived five regimes