Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord
Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord (February 2, 1754 - May 17, 1838) was a French diplomat.
He was a bishop and worked successfully for Louis XVI. He changed sides and served the French Revolution and Napoleon I. When Napoleon started losing his wars, Talleyrand changed sides again and served Louis XVIII. He represented France at the Congress of Vienna. He changed sides once more and served Louis Philippe I. Since the beginning of the 19th century he was known simply as Talleyrand. He is widely seen as one of the most pragmatic and influential diplomats in European history. He was known to accept bribes from other European powers, especially while he served under Napoleon.
Charles-Maurice De Talleyrand-Périgord Media
The oath of La Fayette at the Fête de la Fédération, 14 July 1790. Talleyrand, then Bishop of Autun, can be seen at the extreme right. French School, 18th century. Musée Carnavalet.
Portrait of Talleyrand as Grand Chamberlain of France by Pierre-Paul Prud'hon, 1807
Elderly Talleyrand, 1828 by Ary Scheffer
Catherine (Worlée) Grand, princesse de Talleyrand-Périgord, painted by François Gérard 1805–06
Charles-Maurice, Prince de Talleyrand by François Gérard (1808)
Arms of Talleyrand under the Napoleonic Empire
Arms of Talleyrand under the Bourbon Restoration