Eon de Beaumont, CHARLES GENEVIÈVE TIMOTHÉE D'

Eon de Beaumont, CHARLES GENEVIÈVE TIMOTHÉE D', known as the Chevalier d'Eon, was born at Tonnerre, in Burgundy, in 1728, studied law, and became an advocate. He attracted the notice of the Prince de Conti by some political writings; and in 1755 was introduced by the latter to Louis XV., who employed him in diplomatic missions to Russia and Anstria. After serving a short time in the army, not without distinction, he was sent to London in 1762 as secretary of embassy, and shortly after was made minister plenipotentiary. On the death of Louis XV., the French ministry deemed it prudent to recall him, as they were afraid he might betray their secrets to the English government, which made him brilliant offers. After much negotiation, Eon consented to surrender certain compromising papers, and submit to the condition imposed by Louis XVI. of wearing feminine garb, which he had often before assumed as a disguise, and which he now wore till his death. The doubt as to his sex, fostered by his parents in his childhood, was maintained, for reasons which can only be conjectured, till the end of his life. On the outbreak of the French Revolution, while he was again in London, he offered his services to the French nation, but nothing came of his offer. He maintained himself by giving lessons in fencing till in 1796 he was disabled by an accidental wound, after which he was reduced to great destitution. He died 21st May 1810, when an examination of his remains by a surgeon settled the question of his male sex, and put an end to the curiosity of the English public. His writings appeared at Amsterdam (1774) under the title of Loisirs du Chevalier d'Eon. The Mémoires which bear his name are not genuine. See Telfer, The Chevalier d'Eon de Beaumont (1885-96); the article 'D'Eon,' by Laughton, in the Dict. Nat. Biog. (1888); and a monograph by Vizetelly (1895).