Aimé, duc de Clermont-Tonnerre
A French aristocrat who navigated the treacherous political waters from Napoleon's empire to the Bourbon Restoration as a soldier and minister.
1779–1865 (age 86)·French general and statesman·Birthday: November 27
Biography
Born into one of France's oldest noble families, Aimé de Clermont-Tonnerre came of age during the seismic shifts of the Revolution and the rise of Napoleon. His life was a masterclass in political survival, serving as a cavalry officer in the Imperial armies before pivoting to support the returning Bourbon monarchy after 1815. This adaptability earned him significant roles, including Minister of the Navy and later Minister of War under King Charles X, where he oversaw the controversial 1827 naval expedition to support Greek independence. His career was a balancing act between the old aristocratic order and the new realities of post-revolutionary France, culminating in his elevation to the peerage as a duke. He spent his final decades as a senior statesman, a living bridge between eras whose influence waned only with the final fall of the Bourbons.
#1 When Aimé, Was Born
The biggest hits of 1779
Aimé,'s Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1779Born
1784Started school
1792Became a teenager
1795Could drive
1797Could vote
1800Turned 21
1809Turned 30
1819Turned 40
1829Turned 50
1839Turned 60
1849Turned 70
1859Turned 80
1865Died at 86
President: Andrew Johnson
Key Achievements
- Served as Minister of the Navy for King Charles X from 1821 to 1824.
- Appointed Minister of War in 1824, overseeing French military policy during the Bourbon Restoration.
- Was a Peer of France, wielding significant influence in the Chamber of Peers.
- Played a key role in the French naval intervention during the Greek War of Independence.
Did You Know?
His full name was Aimé-Marie-Gaspard de Clermont-Tonnerre.
He began his military career as a lieutenant in the cavalry at the age of 16.
He was the father of Stanislas de Clermont-Tonnerre, a notable Catholic writer and orator.
“One serves France, regardless of the color of the flag.”
