Ouvrard, Gabriel-Julien

(1770-1846)

   financier

   Born near Clisson, Gabriel-Julien ouvrard started his career by investing in papermaking during the revolution of 1789. Thanks to his friendship with paul barras, he was named chief supplier to the navy (1797), which allowed him to make a rapid but questionable fortune that caused a scandal. imprisoned in 1800, he was freed shortly afterward through the influence of jean-jacques cambacérès and the Empress Joséphine. Ouvrard was named banker to the government and subcommissioner of army supplies, which allowed him to increase his fortune even more. At the same time, he controlled the monopoly in trade with the Spanish colonies. napoléon i, who took umbrage at Ouvrard's power and influence, forced him to dispose of his wealth in 1806. Arrested a number of times, Ouvrard was imprisoned from 1809 to 1814, after having swindled the Finance Ministry. in 1817, his tremendous fortune allowed the duke de Richelieu to finance the war debt. ouvrard was named general supplier to the Spanish army in 1823, but accused of making inflated and fraudulent profits, he was again imprisoned several times. ouvrard left his Mémoires (1826).