MARQUIS DE

See also:

• MARQUIS DE BEAUREGARD (c. 1772–?)
• BEAUREGARD, PIERRE GUSTAVE TOUTANT (1818-1893)

BEAUREGARD (c. 1772–?)  , French adventurer, the son of a poor vinegrower named Leuthraud, was born about 1772 . He received the name Beauregard from a nobleman in whose service he was engaged as valet . On the outbreak of the revolution, this nobleman converted all his fortune into gold, and entrusting the bag containing the cash to his valet, fled to the frontier . For security's sake master and man took different roads, but Beauregard turned back with the money to Paris . By speculations in provisions and military equipments under the Directorate he amassed a considerable fortune, and styling himself the marquis de Beauregard, purchased a splendid mansion and began giving magnificent entertainments . Detected at the height of his success, the impostor was arrested and condemned to four years in irons and to be branded . He soon escaped from prison, and had the audacity to reappear in Paris and start his old life afresh . After a short time, however, he disappeared again, and is supposed to have committed suicide . It is probable that most of the information available about him is a blend of fact and fiction .