Maret, Hugues-Bernard

(1763-1839) (duke of Bassano)

   political figure

   Born in Dijon, Huges-Bernard Maret joined the revolution of 1789 and was initially a member of the jacobin Club, then became a founder of the feuillants Club after the incident in the Champ de Mars (July 17, 1791). Sent as ambassador to Naples, he was then taken prisoner by the Austrians (1793-96) and, following his release, served as secretary-general to the consuls because of his support for the coup d'état of Napoléon Bonaparte (see napoléon i) on 18 Brumaire, Year VIII (November 9, 1799). Maret, who had been created duke of Bassano by Napoléon, was for a time during the hundred days minister of foreign relations, was exiled from 1816 to 1820, then, after his return to France, was eventually made a peer by King louis-philippe (1831).