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'''Talleyrand''' (Charles Maurice de Talleyrand‐Périgord, 1754 – 1838) French statesman and diplomat famous for serving under multiple masters as France underwent revolution and reaction. .
'''Talleyrand''' (Charles Maurice de Talleyrand‐Périgord, 1754 – 1838) French statesman and diplomat famous for serving under multiple masters as France underwent revolution and reaction. .
Born to a rich noble family, because of lameness he entered the Catholic priesthood, and became bishop of Autun. He represented the clergy at the États Généraux and was prominent in proposing nationalization of Church lands in the early years of the Revolution. When his enemies came to power he temporarily moved to London and then New York, returning to France in 1796.
He was foreign Minister under the Directory from 1797 where he mismanaged affairs with the U.S. leading to the [[Quasi-War]] of 1898. After the failure of Napoleon's plans for a New World Empire, he sold Spanish Louisiana to the United States in the [[Louisiana Purchase]] of 1803, with France keeping the $15 million paid by Washington. He aided the coup in 1799 that brought [[Napoleon]] to power, and remained held Foreign Minister under Napoleon (1799 – 1807), keeping track as major countries switched back and forth in the great war between France and Britain, In 1807 he resigned office and engaged in secret negotiations to have Napoleon deposed.
He was foreign Minister under the Directory from 1797 where he mismanaged affairs with the U.S. leading to the [[Quasi-War]] of 1898. After the failure of Napoleon's plans for a New World Empire, he sold Spanish Louisiana to the United States in the [[Louisiana Purchase]] of 1803, with France keeping the $15 million paid by Washington. He aided the coup in 1799 that brought [[Napoleon]] to power, and remained held Foreign Minister under Napoleon (1799 – 1807), keeping track as major countries switched back and forth in the great war between France and Britain, In 1807 he resigned office and engaged in secret negotiations to have Napoleon deposed.