Talleyrand

Talleyrand (Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord; 1754–1838), French politician. A member of the clergy, he represented them in the French parliament (States-General) in 1789 and became a moderate leader and influential spokesperson for the French Revolution in its early years. A fall from favor with the new leadership in 1792 led to a 4-year exile. Appointed an adviser by Napoleon I, Talleyrand rose to the rank of foreign minister until mutual mistrust between the 2 men led to his resignation in 1807. After Napoleon's first exile (1814), Talleyrand helped restore the Bourbon monarchy and was a key negotiator at the Congress of Vienna (1815). In 1830 he helped lead the overthrow of the last Bourbon king, Charles X, and became the ambassador to England under King Louis Philippe. He helped steer the negotiations that resulted in the independence of Belgium (1830).

See also: France.