François Laborde de Méreville facts for kids
François Louis Jean-Joseph de Laborde (1761-1801) was an important French banker and politician. He was a representative for the Third Estate in the Estates General of 1789, which was a big meeting before the French Revolution. He also loved gardens and was known by the name Méréville, after his large estate in Beauce.
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Early Life and Family Connections
François Louis Jean-Joseph de Laborde was born into a very wealthy family. His father, Jean-Joseph de Laborde, was one of the richest financiers (someone who manages large amounts of money) during the reigns of King Louis XV and King Louis XVI. His mother, Rosalie de Nettine, came from a family of bankers connected to the Austrian Imperial court.
François had a brother named Édouard Jean Joseph, who was an explorer. Édouard even fought in the American Revolutionary War alongside General Rochambeau. François was also related to important figures like Marquis de La Fayette through his sister.
Involvement in Politics and Finance
Before becoming a politician, François Louis Jean-Joseph de Laborde worked for his father. He later lived in Saint-Domingue, which is now Haiti.
In 1789, he became involved in important political discussions. He joined a group called the Committee of Thirty. This group met to prepare for the election of representatives to the Estates General. François was then elected as a representative for the Third Estate from Étampes. The Third Estate represented the common people of France.
As a banker, de Laborde was involved in large financial dealings. In 1792, he bought a significant collection of art, known as the Orléans Collection, from a banker in Brussels. He moved these valuable paintings to London. Later, in 1798, he sold them for a large profit.
He also worked with other bankers, Walter Boyd and William Ker, in their banking house. During the French Revolution, a time of great change and unrest in France, de Laborde helped manage money for various political figures. This showed his important role in the financial world during a very turbulent period.
Later Life and Challenges
During the French Revolution, the political situation was very dangerous. In 1792, François de Laborde became involved in political efforts that opposed the revolution. He supported certain political groups and later left France for London in 1793.
His family faced difficult times during the revolution. Tragically, his father was executed. However, his mother managed to avoid the same fate.
While in London, François tried to clear his name and be removed from the list of "émigrés" (people who had left France during the revolution). His mother also tried to help him, but he was not successful in returning to France. François Louis Jean-Joseph de Laborde passed away in London in 1801.
See also
In Spanish: François Louis Jean-Joseph de Laborde de Méréville para niños
