Charles Joseph Prince De Ligne Selected Letters

Charles Joseph, Prince de Ligne (1735-1814) was a Belgian soldier, diplomat, and writer. He was a close friend of Catherine the Great of Russia and was known for his wit and charm. His letters are a valuable source of information on the political and social life of the 18th century.

Charles-Joseph. Prince de Ligne: Selected Letters

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Early life and career

Charles Joseph de Ligne was born in Brussels on 12 May 1735. His father was Claude Lamoral II, Prince de Ligne, and his mother was Elisabeth Alexandrine de Salm-Kyrburg. He was educated at the Collège des Jésuites in Brussels and then at the University of Louvain. In 1755, he joined the Austrian army and fought in the Seven Years' War (1756-1763). He distinguished himself in battle and was promoted to the rank of colonel in 1760.

In 1762, de Ligne was appointed ambassador to the court of Catherine the Great of Russia. He spent the next five years in Russia, where he became a close friend of the empress. He was also a frequent visitor to the court of King Frederick the Great of Prussia. In 1767, he returned to Austria and was appointed governor of the Netherlands. He held this post until 1770, when he was recalled to Vienna to serve as a member of the Imperial Council.

Later life and work

De Ligne continued to serve in the Austrian army and fought in the War of the Bavarian Succession (1778-1779) and the Russo-Turkish War (1787-1792). He retired from the army in 1794 and spent the rest of his life writing and traveling. He was a prolific writer and published over 50 works, including plays, poems, and essays. He was also a keen observer of human nature and his letters are full of wit and wisdom.

De Ligne died in Vienna on 13 December 1814. He is considered one of the most important figures of the Enlightenment and his letters are a valuable source of information on the intellectual and cultural life of the 18th century.

Selected letters

The following is a selection of letters from Charles Joseph, Prince de Ligne:

• To Catherine the Great, 1762: De Ligne describes his first meeting with Catherine the Great and his impressions of the Russian court.
• To Frederick the Great, 1767: De Ligne discusses the political situation in Europe and his views on the French Revolution.
• To Voltaire, 1778: De Ligne shares his thoughts on philosophy, religion, and the human condition.
• To Marie Antoinette, 1789: De Ligne warns Marie Antoinette of the dangers facing the French monarchy.
• To Napoleon Bonaparte, 1800: De Ligne offers his advice to Napoleon on how to rule France.

Charles Joseph, Prince de Ligne was a remarkable man who lived a long and eventful life. He was a soldier, diplomat, writer, and close friend of some of the most important figures of his time. His letters are a valuable source of information on the political and social life of the 18th century and provide a fascinating glimpse into the mind of one of the most brilliant men of his age.

Bibliography

• Crankshaw, Edward. The Shadow of the Winter Palace: The Drift to Revolution, 1725-1917. New York: Viking Press, 1976.
• de Ligne, Charles Joseph, Prince. Selected Letters. Edited by Georges de Froidcourt. Oxford: Voltaire Foundation, 1995.
• Figes, Orlando. Natasha's Dance: A Cultural History of Russia. New York: Metropolitan Books, 2002.
• Palmer, R.R. Twelve Who Ruled. New York: Atheneum, 1965.
• Woloch, Isser. The New Regime: Transformations of the French Civic Order, 1789-1820s. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1994.

Charles-Joseph. Prince de Ligne: Selected Letters

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6048 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	281 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE