Christophe Léon Louis Juchault de Lamoricière

Life

Lamoricière was born in Nantes. He studied at the Ecole Polytechnique and the Ecole d'Application. He was commissioned a sub-lieutenant in the Engineers in 1828. He served in the Algerian campaigns from 1830 onwards, being made a captain of Zouaves.

By 1840, Lamoricière had risen to the grade of maréchal-de-camp (major-general). Three years later he was made a general of division. He was one of the most distinguished and efficient of Bugeaud's generals, rendering special service at Isly (14 August 1844). He acted temporarily as governor-general of Algeria, and finally effected the capture of Abd-el-Kader in 1847.

Lamoricière played a part in the political events of 1848, both as a member of the Chamber of Deputies and as a military commander. Under the regime of General Cavaignac he was for a time minister of war (28 June – 20 December 1848). From 1848 to 1851 Lamoricière was one of the most conspicuous opponents of the policies of Louis Napoleon, and following the coup d'état of 2 December 1851 he was arrested and exiled.

Lamoricière refused to give his allegiance to the new Emperor Napoleon III. In 1860 he accepted command of the papal army, which he led in the Italian campaign of 1860. On 18 September that year, he was severely defeated by the Italian army at Castelfidardo.

His last years were spent in complete retirement in France where he had been allowed to return in 1857. He died at Prouzel (Somme) in 1865.

His tomb at Nantes Cathedral, designed by Paul Dubois, was completed in 1875.