Talleyrand, Charles Maurice de

Talleyrand or Talleyrand-Périgord, Charles Maurice de tăl´ērănd˝, Fr. shärl mōrēs´ də tälāräN´-pārēgôr´ [key], 1754–1838, French statesman and diplomat. Born into the high nobility, he was early destined for the Roman Catholic Church because of a childhood accident that left him partially lame. Despite Talleyrand's notorious impiety, he was made (1789) bishop of Autun by King Louis XVI.

Sections in this article:

• Introduction
• Talleyrand and the French Revolution
• Talleyrand and Napoleon
• Talleyrand and the Restoration
• Assessment
• Bibliography

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