Evgeny Bogarne: brief biography

Eugene Beauharnais, whose biography will be examined in the article, is the stepson of Napoleon Bonaparte, the vice-king of Italy, the general, the prince of Leuchtenberg. He was born in Paris on September 3, 1781.

Origin of Eugene Beauharnais

As it is easy to guess, Evgenie Beauharnais came from the noble family of noble family. His photo in those distant times was not possible, but the story left us a number of portraits, one of which is presented above. Alexander de Beauharnais, his father, was a viscount, a native of the island of Martinique (colony of France, located in the Caribbean Sea). Even when he was a young officer, Alexander married Josephine's Creole. After a while he became a general and a prominent figure in the revolution, but was arrested on the denunciation and died on the guillotine. By this time, Evgeni was just 13 years old. Arrested and Josephine, and her son was sent to the artisan's family for re-education.

Study in a military school

July 28, 1794, the Thermidorian coup took place . He led to the fact that the Jacobin dictatorship was overthrown. Josephine thanks to this was at large, and Eugene began to study at the Saint Germain Military School.

Mother Eugene in 1796, Mr .. married Napoleon Bonaparte, who at that time was the general of the French Republic. In the same year, after graduating from military school, our hero became adjutant of Bonaparte. The photo above shows two portraits - Napoleon and Josephine.

Evgeny accompanies Napoleon in campaigns

When the general went to the Italian campaign (1796-1797), Eugene was irresponsibly with him. He also accompanied him during the Egyptian expedition (1798-99).

Eugene Beauharnet was one of the participants in the November 18, 1799 coup of the Eighteenth Brumaire. As a result, the Directory lost its power. There was a new provisional government headed by Napoleon Bonaparte, now a consul. Eugene also served in his guard, where he was captain of the horse rangers. In the photo above - Evgeny Bogarne on horseback.

Career advancement

In 1800, Eugene took part in the military campaign, which France organized in northern Italy against the Austrians. At the end of the battle of Marengo (the so-called village located in northern Italy), Eugene was awarded the rank of colonel. A few years later, in 1804, he became a brigadier general.

In 1804 the coronation of Napoleon took place, during which Bogarne received the title of State Chancellor. Eugene also deserved the honorary title, becoming the prince of the French Empire. However, these awards did not bring real power to Bogarne. The title and title he received were only of an honorable character.

Evgeny becomes viceroy. Marriage on Agnes Amalia

Napoleon in 1805 created the Italian kingdom. He became king, and Bogarne - vice-king. It is known that at one time (in 1806) Bonaparte even wanted to declare Eugene as his heir. To this end, he adopted him. Thus, Yevgeny's status rose. He now became a monarchical person. Thanks to this, our hero married in the same year (at the request of Napoleon). His wife was the daughter of the King of Bavaria, Agnes Amalia (1788-1851).

In 1807, Bonaparte made Eugenia heir to the Italian throne. He was given the title of Prince of Venice.

Eugene on the Italian throne

Eugene Beauharne was not an experienced administrator. Therefore, being the ruler of Italy, he surrounded himself with a multitude of Italian advisers. During his reign, the administration and the court (in the image of France) were transformed, and the army was also improved. However, the sending of troops and financial payments, conducted by Eugene at the request of Bonaparte, caused discontent of the local population.

When Beauharnais became the ruler of Italy, he was only 24 years old. However, he managed to lead the state quite firmly. The army was reorganized, the Civil Code was introduced. The country was equipped with fortifications, canals and schools. Despite some discontent, inevitable in the difficult matter of governing the state, on the whole it can be said that he managed to earn the respect and love of his people.

Participation in the Napoleonic wars

Bogarne participated in virtually all the wars that Napoleon led. In the Austrian campaign (1809) he was the commander of the Italian troops. The outcome of the battle in the city of Salice (in Italy) was unsuccessful. The victory was won by the Archduke John of Habsburg. However, despite this, Eugene managed to reverse the course of events. He defeated John a few defeats first in Italy, and then in Austria. Bogarne won a victory in Hungary, important for the French. It is about the battle of Raab (today it is the city of Gyor in Hungary). After that, he distinguished himself in the decisive battle at Wagram (now this village, located in Austria).

Napoleon summoned Bogarne from Italy in 1812. He was to become the commander of the fourth corps of the now French army. Eugene participated in the war of 1812, where he distinguished himself in the battles of Ostrovno (today it is an agro-town located in Byelorussia), near Borodino, Smolensk, Vyazma, Marojaroslavets, Vilno (now Vilnius, Lithuania), Krasny.

Evgenie Bogarne and Savva Storozhevsky

Many miracles are associated with the Monk Savva Storozhevsky. One of them is considered his phenomenon to Eugene Bogarne in 1812, during the capture of Moscow by the French. Savva persuaded Eugene not to destroy the monastery, which is in Zvenigorod. In return, he promised that Eugene Beauharnais would return to his homeland unhindered. Sawa kept his word - the prophecy of the Reverend really came true.

Reflection of the Austrian attack

After Napoleon left Russia with Marshal Joachim Murat, Bogarne commanded the remnants of the French army. He led the troops to Magdeburg (today it is a German city). After the Battle of Lutzen (a city in Germany), held in 1813, Eugene on the orders of Bonaparte was sent to Italy. He had to ensure its protection against the attack of Austrian troops. It is believed that the military actions of Beauharnais in Italy, in the campaign of 1813-14, are the apex of military leadership. Only thanks to Murat's treachery the Austrians managed to avoid total defeat.

The fate of Beauharnais after the abdication of Napoleon from the throne

In 1814 (April 16) Napoleon abdicated from the throne. After this, Bogarne, the vice-king of Italy, concluded a truce and went to Bavaria. Behrarne became a peer of France in June 1815. The Congress of Vienna, held in 1814-1815, decided to allocate 5 million francs to him as compensation for the Italian possessions. For this money, Maximilian-Joseph, the Bavarian king and father-in-law of Beauharnais, yielded to him the principality of Eichstäte and the Landgraft Leichtenberg, who formed the duchy of Leuchtenberg. The title and duchy were to be inherited by the descendants of Eugene (by birthright, and other descendants were given titles of the most brilliant princes).

Evgenie Beauharnais has retired from politics in recent years. He decided to move to Munich, where he settled with his father-in-law. The first attack of the disease struck Bogarne in the beginning of 1823. It happened in Munich. The shaken health of Eugene caused a great public response. Almost in all the churches in Munich for six weeks, prayer services were arranged to grant him recovery. This clearly demonstrates how much people loved him.

The disease receded for a time. The doctors prescribed Evgeny treatment on the waters. However, by the end of the year, Bogarne's condition worsened again. He began to suffer from frequent headaches. On February 21, 1824, he died of an apoplexy stroke. Expressed in modern language, Yevgeny had a second stroke.

There are, however, other versions of the reasons for his death. For example, historian D. Seward believes that Bogarne was cancer-prone. The funeral of Eugene was grandiose. After his death, all of Bavaria was covered with mourning ribbons. Evgeny Bogarne, whose brief biography was examined by us, died at the age of 42 years. His name is engraved on the Arc de Triomphe, located on the square. The stars in Paris, the grand opening of which took place in 1836.

Main awards

Eugene was awarded many awards. In 1805 he received the Orders of the Legion of Honor, the Iron Crown and St. Hubert of Bavaria. In 1811, Eugene Beauharnais was awarded the large cross of the Order of St. Stephen. And these are just his main rewards.

Children of Evgeny

The wife of Agnes Amalia gave birth to six children: six sons of Carl Augustus and Maximilian and daughters Josephine, Eugene, Amalia and Theodolind. Josephine, the eldest daughter, became the wife of the King of Sweden Oscar I, who was the son of Bernadotte, the former marshal of Napoleon. Evgenia married Prince FV Hohenzollern-Ehringen. The Emperor of Brazil Pedro I married his daughter Bogarne Amalia. Theodolina became the wife of Duke Urach Wilhelm Würtenberg.

The fate of the sons of Eugene Beauharnais

Karl-Augustus, the eldest son of Eugene Bogarne, became the Duke of Leuchtenberg after the death of his father. In 1835, he married Mary II and Gloria, a 16-year-old Portuguese queen from the Braganza dynasty. However, in the same year, Karl-August died.

Maximilian, the youngest son, inherited the title of Duke of Leuchtenberg from his deceased brother. In 1839, he married Maria Nikolaevna, daughter of Nicholas I (her portrait is presented above). Since that time, Maximilian lived in Russia. He was the head of the Mining Institute, president of the Academy of Arts, conducted research in the field of electrotype. It was he who established the electroplating plant in St. Petersburg, as well as the hospital. Nicholas I after the death of Maximilian decided to sell his possessions in Bavaria, and his children became members of the Russian imperial family. They were granted the title of princes of the Romanovs. Thus, in the history of Russia, representatives of the family, whose father was Evgeny Bogarne, left their mark. Orthodoxy has become their new religion.