Dermide Leclerc facts for kids

Dermide Louis Napoléon Leclerc (born April 20, 1798 – died August 14, 1804) was the only child of Pauline Bonaparte and General Charles Leclerc. Pauline later became the Duchess of Guastalla. Through his mother, Dermide was the nephew of Napoleon I, who would become Emperor of France.

In 1802, Dermide traveled with his parents to the island colony of Saint-Domingue (now Haiti). They were part of a French military mission. His father died there from yellow fever later that year. Dermide and Pauline then returned to France. In 1803, Pauline remarried Camillo Borghese, an Italian nobleman. They moved to Rome with Dermide. Dermide was often sick. He died from a fever at age six. This was a few months after his uncle Napoleon became Emperor.

Dermide's Life Story

Early Years

Dermide was born on April 20, 1798, in Milan. At that time, Milan was part of the Cisalpine Republic. This was a state controlled by France. He was the first and only child of Pauline Bonaparte and Charles Leclerc. Charles was a general in the French Army.

Dermide's birth was difficult for his mother. He was named Dermide Louis Napoléon. This name came from a character in old Scottish poems. His uncle, Napoleon Bonaparte, chose the name. Napoleon greatly admired these poems.

Dermide was baptized in Milan on May 29, 1798. His uncle Napoleon was his godfather. The city celebrated his baptism with gun salutes and music. After a disagreement with local officials, his parents moved to Paris. Napoleon also lived on the same street. In 1799, Napoleon became the First Consul of France. This made him the country's leader.

Journey to Saint-Domingue

In 1791, the Haitian Revolution began in Saint-Domingue. This island had been a French colony since 1697. Napoleon wanted to bring the island back under French control. He sent a large army, led by General Leclerc. This mission was called the Saint-Domingue expedition.

On December 14, 1801, Leclerc, Pauline, and Dermide sailed from France. They arrived in Saint-Domingue on January 28, 1802. Dermide was healthy at first. But both he and his mother got yellow fever while there. Luckily, they recovered quickly. Dermide spent time playing at Port-au-Prince.

On November 2, 1802, General Leclerc died from yellow fever. He passed away on Tortuga island. Pauline and Dermide quickly left Saint-Domingue. They arrived back in France on New Year's Day 1803.

Life in Rome

Pauline and Dermide first stayed at her brother Joseph's hotel in Paris. Later, they moved to Château de Montgobert. This was Dermide's inheritance from his father. Napoleon wanted Pauline to remarry. He helped choose Camillo Borghese, a Roman nobleman.

On November 14, 1803, Pauline, Camillo, and Dermide traveled to Rome. Dermide had his own carriage with six horses. He shared it with his governess and his mother's reader. The family settled at the Palazzo Borghese in Rome.

Dermide was a delicate child. In the summer of 1804, Pauline and Camillo planned to travel for her health. They decided to leave Dermide with Camillo's brother, Francesco. Dermide moved to Francesco's Villa Mondragone near Frascati. He was with his governess and tutor.

Dermide's Death

By August, Dermide had a fever. Doctors did not think it was serious at first. But Dermide's condition worsened. Despite the doctors' efforts, Dermide died on August 14, 1804. He was only six years old.

Pauline was very sad when she learned the news. She believed her son's health was weakened by the yellow fever he had in Saint-Domingue. She also felt that if she had been with him, she could have helped him.

Dermide was buried at the Château de Montgobert. He was laid to rest next to his father, General Leclerc. Dermide's inheritance then went to his father's family. Pauline later died in 1825. She was buried in Rome, not with her son and first husband.

Images for kids

• 

  Dermide's mother, Pauline Bonaparte.

• 

  Dermide's father, General Charles Leclerc.

• 

  Camillo Borghese, Dermide's stepfather.