Gérard de Lally-Tollendal facts for kids
Trophime-Gérard, marquis de Lally-Tollendal (born March 5, 1751 – died March 11, 1830) was an important French politician. He was also a philanthropist, meaning he worked to help others.
He was born in Paris into a noble family. He was the son of Thomas Arthur, comte de Lally, who was a viceroy in India. Trophime-Gérard only learned about his father's secret past on the day his father was executed in 1766. After this, he spent his life trying to clear his father's name. The famous writer Voltaire supported him. In 1778, Trophime-Gérard convinced King Louis XVI to cancel the order that had sentenced his father. However, the case was sent to other courts, and his father's innocence was never fully accepted by French judges.
In 1779, Lally-Tollendal bought the honorary title of Grand bailli of Étampes. In 1789, he became a representative for the nobles of Paris in the Estates-General of 1789. He was involved in the early parts of the French Revolution. But, because he held conservative views, he soon disagreed with the bigger changes happening.
Contents
His Early Life and Family
Trophime Gerard Lally-Tollendal was born on March 5, 1751. He came from an old noble family. He was the son of Thomas Arthur, comte de Lally. Trophime was not told about his Irish family background and grew up using only the name Trophime. He learned about his family history on May 9, 1766, the day his father was executed.
After his father's death, Lally-Tollendal spent most of his adult life trying to prove his father's innocence. During this time, he studied at the College of Harcourt. This helped him gain the skills he needed to fight for his father and to take part in the French government.
Fighting for His Father's Good Name
Trophime entered the world of French politics by constantly fighting to prove his father's innocence. Lally-Tollendal started this work when he was only 19 years old. He asked Voltaire for help because of Voltaire's influence and writing skills. He first wrote to Voltaire in 1770. In his letter, he explained all the unfairness and false claims made against his father.
At that time, Trophime Gérard de Lally-Tollendal was thought to be Thomas Arthur's illegitimate son. This meant he could not defend his father in court. In 1772, Trophime was officially recognized as his father's legitimate son. After this, the process of clearing his father's name truly began.
The final result of Thomas Arthur's case is not completely clear. Some records show that Thomas Arthur's case was reopened and tried more than three times. Even though the King and his Council decided that Thomas Arthur was innocent, courts in different parts of France kept finding him guilty.
Other records say that King Louis XVI alone overturned the guilty decision. Similar records say that King Louis XVI and the King's Council met about the case. They voted mostly in favor of Thomas Arthur's innocence. What is certain is that Thomas Arthur's innocence was never officially recorded everywhere.
His Role in French Politics
When the Revolution began, Lally-Tollendal supported it. He also supported the Marquis de Lafayette. But as the Revolution continued, Lally-Tollendal's own conservative ideas stopped him from supporting it further. Because of this, he fully supported the Ancien Régime, which was France's traditional system of government.
Supporting the King
Trophime Gérard de Lally-Tollendal supported King Louis XVI even during the French Revolution. Throughout the Revolution, Lally-Tollendal stayed completely loyal to the King. He even risked his life trying to defend the King during his trial.
Lally-Tollendal was also part of Clermont-Tonnerre's Monarchist Club. One of the first problems this club faced was the Constituent Assembly's refusal to declare Catholicism as France's national religion. Lally-Tollendal, Clermont-Tonnerre, Bertrand de Molleville, and Malouet also planned to help the King hide on August 10, 1792. Sadly, all the men were recognized on the street and chased. They all fled to the Hôtel of Madame de Brassac, where Clermont-Tonnerre was killed.
Ideas for a New Government
Even though Lally-Tollendal supported the King, he also wanted a government with three parts. This new government would have a Senate, a Chamber of Representatives, and the King. Each part would have the power to stop laws, but the King's power to stop laws would be stronger. These parts of government would be put in place to create a balance. This balance would make sure power was shared equally.
Time in Exile and His Return
In 1792, Lally-Tollendal was arrested. But he managed to leave France and go to England before the September Massacres. He joined those who opposed the strict rule of the Marquis de Mirabeau. He also spoke against the strong rejection of the Ancien Régime by the National Constituent Assembly. This rejection started with the Tennis Court Oath and was confirmed when feudalism was ended on August 4, 1789. Later that year, he moved to Great Britain.
During the trial of Louis XVI by the National Convention (from December 1792 to January 1793), he offered to defend the king. But he was not allowed to return to France. He did not come back until after the Consulate was set up. Louis XVIII honored him with the title of Peer of France. In 1816, he became a member of the Académie française, a famous French academy.
Later Life and Helping Others
From that time until his death, he focused on philanthropic work. This means he worked to help people. He was especially involved in making prisons better. He died in Paris on March 11, 1830.
Family
He married a Scottish woman named Miss Halket of Pitfirran. She was a well-known singer in Edinburgh.
