Paula Spillman, age 16, of Burlington, Vt., for her question:
CAN YOU TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT TALLEYRAND?
Talleyrand was a famous French statesman who was involved in French and European politics during the time of the French Revolution, the Napoleonic days and the era that followed. His full name was Charles Maurice de Talleyrand Perigord.
Born to a noble family in Paris in 1754, Talleyrand suffered an accident as a child that crippled him for life. He had planned to have a military career, but because of his handicap he decided on the priesthood instead.
Although he became the Bishop of Autun in 1789 when he was 35 years old, religion didn't really interest him and he wasn't a conscientious priest.
Talleyrand was a member of the National Assembly when the French Revolution broke out. He had many liberal ideas and suggested that the bankrupt government take over church property in order to finance itself. When the Roman Catholics broke relations with the leaders of the Revolution, Talleyrand was one of the few leading churchmen who left the Church.
Talleyrand served his country in its foreign affairs because he was noted for his diplomatic ability. But when the Revolution turned into a reign of terror, he fled to England and later to the United States.
When Napoleon seized control of the French government, Talleyrand became the Foreign Minister. However, Talleyrand plotted against Napoleon.
When Napoleon was defeated in 1814, Talleyrand was largely responsible for the restoration of the Bourbons as rulers of France. King Louis XVIII appointed Talleyrand to represent France in the peace negotiations.
Because of Talleyrand's diplomacy, France did not lose any of the territory it had held before 1792. And during the Congress of Vienna in 1815, Talleyrand succeeded in recovering France's place as a leading European power.
When he was 77 years old is 1831, Talleyrand again served his country during a time of crisis. He arranged an agreement between Great Britain and France by which both countries supported the independence of Belgium.
During his lifetime, Talleyrand often was criticized for his lack of scruples. He had become an extremely rich man while serving in public office. However, this type of dishonesty was more widely accepted during the Napoleonic era that it is today.
The story of Talleyrand and Napoleon is an interesting one.
Napoleon came to depend on Talleyrand, but he distrusted him. And ii wasn't long before Talleyrand cams to oppose Napoleon's conquests as injurious to France and to European peace.
After 1807, Talleyrand resigned from office and became the leader of the growing opposition to the emperor. His leadership was actually decisive in securing Napoleon's abdication.
Before he died in 1838 at the age of 84, Talleyrand was received back into the Church.