Jeanne Brécourt

Jeanne Brécourt (born 1837) was one of France's most notorious courtesans. Using dishonesty and blackmail, she ruined some of her lovers. She also convinced a friend, Nathalis Gaudry, to blind a man she was the mistress of, Georges de Saint Pierre, telling Nathalis that Georges was the son of a man who had cheated her. Jeanne wished to do this to have Georges totally dependent on her, having previously seen an aging courtesan with her blind lover. Nathalis did in fact blind Georges. Nathalis and Jeanne were brought to trial for this in 1877, and Jeanne was defended by Charles Lachaud, who had earlier defended Marie LaFarge. Jeanne was found guilty, and was sentenced to fifteen years in prison, while Nathalis, who had been found guilty with extenuating circumstances, was sentenced to five years in prison.