Beauchamp, ALPHONSE DE

Beauchamp, ALPHONSE DE, historian and publicist, born at Monaco in 1767, entered the Sardinian military service, but in 1792, on the outbreak of the war with France, refused to bear arms against the republic, and obtained his discharge. Being, however, suspected of treasonable designs, he was imprisoned for some months. After his liberation, he returned to Paris, where, on the fall of Robespierre, he obtained a situation in the office of the minister of police, and had the surveillance of the press. Here he commenced his Histoire de la Vendée et des Chouans (3 vols. Paris. 1806; 4th ed. 1820), for which Fouché supplied the materials. As this work displeased the emperor, Beauchamp was banished to Rheims, but was recalled in 1811, and again received a subordinate appointment, which he lost in 1814. At the Restoration, he received a small pension, and he died 1st June 1832. Beauchamp's numerous historical works include histories of Brazil, Peru, the campaign of 1814-15, and a life of Louis XVIII.; and to him have also been ascribed the Mémoires de Fouché.