Louis Gabriel Suchet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Louis Gabriel Suchet, 1st Duc d'Albufera
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|---|---|
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| Allegiance |  France |
| Service/ |
army |
| Years of service | 1792–1815 |
| Rank | Général de division |
| Battles/wars | French Revolutionary Wars
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| Awards | Marshal of France |
| Other work | author |
Louis Gabriel Suchet (born March 2, 1770, died January 3, 1826) was a very important French military leader. He became a Marshal of France, which was a top rank in the army. Many people thought he was one of Napoleon's smartest generals. He was also known as the 1st Duke of Albufera.
Contents
Early Life and Military Start
Louis Gabriel Suchet was born in Lyon, France. His father made silk, and Louis was expected to join the family business. However, he chose a different path.
In 1792, he joined the national guard in Lyon as a volunteer in the cavalry. He quickly showed he was good at military leadership. This helped him get promoted very fast.
First Major Battle
In 1793, Suchet was a chef de bataillon (a type of commander). He took part in the Siege of Toulon. During this battle, he captured General O'Hara, an important enemy general.
Rising Through the Ranks
Suchet continued to gain a strong reputation during the wars of 1805 and 1806. He fought in many important battles, including Austerlitz, Saalfeld, Jena, and Pułtusk.
In 1808, he was given the title of count. Later that year, he married Honorine Anthoine de Saint-Joseph. She was a niece of Julie Clary, who was married to Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon's brother.
Fighting in Spain
Soon after his marriage, Suchet was sent to Spain. He became the commander of the army in Aragon and also its governor. Over two years, he brought the area under French control.
Even though he was defeated by the Spanish at the Battle of Alcañiz, he quickly recovered. He then strongly defeated the Spanish army led by General Blake at the Battle of María on June 14, 1809. On April 22, 1810, he also defeated Henry Joseph O'Donnell at Lleida.
Becoming a Marshal
Because of his great success, Suchet was made a Marshal of France on July 8, 1811. This was a very high honor. In 1812, he captured the city of Valencia. For this victory, he was given the special title of duc d'Albufera da Valencia in 1813.
Later Years
After Napoleon's rule ended, King Louis XVIII returned to power. He made Suchet a peer of France in the upper house of government. However, when Napoleon returned for a short time during the Hundred Days, Suchet commanded one of Napoleon's armies. Because of this, he lost his peerage on July 24, 1815.
Louis Gabriel Suchet passed away near Marseille on January 3, 1826.
Family Life
Louis Gabriel Suchet married Honorine de Saint-Joseph in 1808. They had three children:
- Louise-Honorine (1811 – 1885)
- Louis-Napoleon (1813 – 1877)
- Anne-Marie (1820 – 1835)
Foods Named After Suchet
A famous chef named Carême created several dishes and named them after Albufera, Suchet's title. These include:
- Poularde Albufera, a chicken dish
- Albufera Sauce, a special sauce
Images for kids
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Suchet as a lieutenant colonel of the 4th battalion of the Army of the Alps in 1792, painted in 1834
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Portrait of Marshal Suchet in Spain by Vicente López Portaña, c. 1813
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Suchet's grave in Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris
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See also
In Spanish: Louis Gabriel Suchet para niños
