Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord is remembered in public life for work that changed what came after it.
The record lists Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord as French diplomat (1754-1838).
Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord was born at Paris in 1754. His recorded nationality is France. He was educated at Lycée Saint-Louis.
Revolution and constitution-writing defined this period; the question of who counts as a citizen was opened and only partly answered.
The offices held were member of the French National Assembly (1789–1791), ambassador and head of government of France (1815–1815).
His political affiliation is recorded as independent politician and Society of 1789.
The test of a public life is what remained possible afterwards that had not been possible before.
Formal honours included the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, Knight of the Order of the Holy Spirit, Knight of the Order of Saint Michael and Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece (1814).
That the career was made in France is not incidental: the institutions available, the franchise, and the constraints of the moment all shaped what could be attempted.
Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord died in 1839, aged 85. The assessment continues, as it does for anyone who held power - which is the ordinary fate of a political life.
Achievements
- member of the French National Assembly (1789–1791)
- ambassador
- head of government of France (1815–1815)
- Minister of Foreign Affairs (1815–1815)
- Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour
- Knight of the Order of the Holy Spirit
- Knight of the Order of Saint Michael
- Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece — 1814
- Educated at Lycée Saint-Louis
