Maurepas, Jean FrEdEric PhElippeaux, comte de, French History, Biographies

Related Category: French History, Biographies

Maurepas, Jean FrEdEric PhElippeaux, comte de[zhAN frAdArEk´ fAlEpO´ kONt du mOrupA´] Pronunciation Key, 1701–81, French statesman. He succeeded his father as minister of state at 14, the post being administered for him in his minority. He was later made minister of marine and attempted to apply scientific methods to naval affairs. A satirical epigram against the king's mistress, Mme de Pompadour, caused his dismissal and exile (1749). After King Louis XVI's accession (1774) Maurepas returned, became minister of state, and covered his mediocre abilities by a judicious selection of his council, which included the comte de Vergennes, A. R. J. Turgot, and Lamoignon de Malesherbes. He supported the alliance with the American colonies and the war against Great Britain. His failure to give full support to the ministers helped to bring about the downfall of both Turgot (1776) and his successor, Jacques Necker (1781).

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