Charles Juste de Beauvau, Prince of Craon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Charles Juste
Prince of Craon Prince of Beauvau Prince of the Holy Roman Empire
Charles Juste by Elise Bruyère
Spouse(s)	Marie Charlotte de La Tour d'Auvergne Marie Charlotte Sylvie de Rohan
Detail Issue
Anne Louise Marie, Princess of Poix
Full name
Charles Juste de Beauvau
Father	Marc de Beauvau
Mother	Anne Marguerite de Ligneville
Born	(1720-08-10)10 August 1720 Hôtel de Craon, Lunéville Duchy of Lorraine, France
Died	21 May 1793(1793-05-21) (aged 72) Hôtel de Beauvau, Paris, France

Charles Juste de Beauvau was an important French nobleman, scholar, and general. He was born on September 10, 1720, and passed away on May 21, 1793. He held the title of the 2nd Prince of Craon starting in 1754. Later, in 1783, he became a Marshal of France, which was a very high military rank.

Charles Juste was the son of Marc de Beauvau. He was also the brother of the famous Madame de Boufflers. Through her, he was the uncle of the poet Stanislas de Boufflers.

Early Life and Family Connections

Charles Juste was born in Lunéville, a city in the Duchy of Lorraine. His family, the Beauvaus, was one of the most powerful families in Lorraine. They were second only to the ruling Duke.

His mother, Anne Marguerite de Ligneville, had a special connection with Leopold, Duke of Lorraine. Leopold was married to Élisabeth Charlotte d'Orléans, who was a niece of King Louis XIV. Charles Juste was one of twenty children in his large family.

Marriages and Children

Charles Juste de Beauvau married twice during his life. His first marriage was on April 3, 1745. He married Marie Charlotte de La Tour d'Auvergne. She was the daughter of Emmanuel Théodose de La Tour d'Auvergne.

Charles Juste and Marie Charlotte had one child together. Their daughter later married into the important Noailles family. Sadly, Marie Charlotte passed away in 1763 at the age of 33 from Smallpox.

After his first wife's death, Charles Juste married again the following year. On March 14, 1764, he married Marie Charlotte Sylvie de Rohan. She was a cousin of the Prince of Soubise. This second marriage did not result in any children. Marie Charlotte Sylvie lived longer than her husband, passing away in 1807.

Military Career and Achievements

Charles Juste de Beauvau joined the French military. He quickly rose through the ranks. In 1738, he became a lieutenant in the Cavalry. By 1740, he was a colonel.

He showed great bravery and skill during battles. He was especially noted for his actions under the Duke of Belle-Isle at the Siege of Prague in 1742. He continued to be promoted, becoming a Brigadier in 1746 and a Field marshal in 1748.

In 1758, he was made a Lieutenant general. He also served in Spain in 1762, where he again proved his military talent.

Public Service and Honors

Beyond his military roles, Charles Juste also served in important government positions. He was named the Governor of Languedoc in 1747. Later, he became the governor of Provence. These were significant administrative roles in France.

He received many honors for his service. In 1754, he became a Grandee of Spain, first class. This was a very high title in Spain. In 1757, he was made a Knight of the Order of the Holy Spirit. This was the highest award given in France during the time of the Ancien régime, which means "old rule."

Social Life and Influence

Charles Juste de Beauvau was not just a soldier and governor. He was also a respected scholar. He was involved with the Académie française, a famous French institution dedicated to the French language.

He hosted a popular social gathering called a "salon." Here, he met with many famous thinkers and artists of his time. These included the philosopher Jean-François Marmontel and the poet Jean François de Saint-Lambert. His nephew, Stanislas de Boufflers, also attended these gatherings.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1783, Charles Juste reached the highest military rank: Marshal of France. In 1789, he briefly served as the Secretary of State for War. This was just as the French Revolution was beginning.

He supported some reforms and was not harmed during the Revolution. He passed away peacefully in his own bed during the "Reign of Terror." This was a very dangerous time in France.

The Hôtel de Beauvau, his home in Paris, was named after him. This grand house was built for him around 1770. Since 1861, it has been the home of the French Ministry of the Interior. Charles Juste also owned a property called the Château du Val. This estate was later bought by Benjamin Franklin, a famous American statesman.

His nephew, Marc Étienne Gabriel de Beauvau, became the next Prince of Craon after Charles Juste. He was better known as the Prince of Beauvau.

Issue

Anne Louise Marie de Beauvau, also known as Mademoiselle de Beauvau, was born on April 1, 1750. She passed away on November 20, 1834. She married Philippe Louis de Noailles, who was the Prince of Poix. They had children together.