Aimé, duc de Clermont-Tonnerre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aimé-Marie-Gaspard, comte de Clermont-Tonnerre
|
|
|---|---|
Aimé de Clermont-Tonnerre
|
|
| Born | 27 November 1779 |
| Died | 8 January 1865 (aged 85) Glisolles, French Empire
|
| Nationality | French |
Aimé-Marie-Gaspard, comte de Clermont-Tonnerre (born November 27, 1779 – died January 8, 1865) was an important French general and a government leader. He was born in Paris, France. Aimé lived during the exciting time of the French Revolution.
Contents
Aimé's Early Life and Military Career
Aimé-Marie-Gaspard studied at the famous École Polytechnique. This school trains engineers and military officers. After his studies, he joined the French army.
He fought in several important military campaigns. These included battles in Italy, Germany, and Spain. In 1808, he became an assistant to Joseph Bonaparte. Joseph Bonaparte was the King of Naples at that time. Aimé continued to serve him for a while.
In 1814, Aimé returned to the French army. He became a colonel, which is a high rank. Later, he was promoted to Maréchal de Camp. After the king returned to power, Aimé became a Peer of France. This meant he was a member of the French Parliament. He also commanded the cavalry, which were soldiers who fought on horseback.
Becoming a Government Minister
Aimé de Clermont-Tonnerre was part of the moderate conservative party. This group wanted to keep some traditions but also allow for some changes. In 1820, he was chosen by Villèle to be the Minister of the Navy and the Colonies. This was a very important job.
In 1823, he became the Minister of War. This role put him in charge of the entire French army. He worked hard to reorganize and improve the army.
Important Expeditions and Projects
As Minister of the Navy, Aimé sent Hyacinthe de Bougainville on a trip around the world. This journey happened from 1824 to 1826. Bougainville sailed on two ships, the Thétis and the Espérance.
In 1827, Aimé also planned the Algerian expedition. This was a military operation to take control of Algeria. The expedition was carried out in 1830.
Later Life and Retirement
After a big change in government, Aimé refused to support the new leader, Louis-Philippe. Because of this, he decided to retire from public life. He went to live quietly on his estate in Glisolles.
Even in retirement, he stayed interested in important projects. In 1852, he worked to get the first railway line built. This line connected Paris to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. He wanted it to pass through the Eure department, where his estate was.
Aimé-Marie-Gaspard, comte de Clermont-Tonnerre, passed away on January 8, 1865. He was 85 years old.
Legacy
A type of Hawaiian plant was named after him. The plant genus Clermontia was named in his honor. This was done by a botanist named Charles Gaudichaud-Beaupré.
