Author: Jean Hanoteau

Marquis de Caulaincourt (9 December 1773 – 19 February 1827) in his own right, Duke of Vicenza by creation of Napoleon, the author was born to the profession of arms. He came of an ancient feudal family, with a strong military tradition. In contrast to many of Napoleon”s followers, he was not a mere soldier of fortune. As Napoleon”s Master of Horse, his Ambassador to Russia, and twice his Minister for Foreign Affairs, Caulaincourt was over a long period also Napoleon”s political adviser. His memoirs are a comprehensive picture of the Russian campaign—that supreme crisis of Napoleon”s career—by a soldier who was a skilful enough statesman to understand the Emperor”s plans and to do justice to the recording of them. Caulaincourt, who was four years younger than Napoleon, died in 1827 at the age of 54.