Beauharnais, Eugène de

Beauharnais, Eugène de də bōärnāˈ [key], 1781–1824, French general; son of Alexandre and Josephine de Beauharnais (Empress Josephine). He served ably in the campaigns of his stepfather, Napoleon I, distinguishing himself at Marengo and Lützen, where he rallied the outnumbered troops, and in the Russian campaign. The emperor made him viceroy of Italy in 1805 and officially adopted him the following year. His court at Milan was brilliant, his administration in Italy capable. Beauharnais married a Bavarian princess, and after Napoleon's downfall he lived in Munich under the titles of duke of Leuchtenberg and prince of Eichstätt.

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