Louis-Gabriel Suchet, duc d'Albuféra (; 2 March 1770 – 3 January 1826), was a French Marshal of the Empire and one of the most successful commanders of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. During the Peninsular War (part of the Napoleonic Wars), he was remembered as a skilled administrator. He is placed among the greatest commanders of the Napoleonic Wars.
Early life
Suchet was born on 2 March 1770 in Lyon, the son of Jean-Pierre Suchet and Anne-Marie Jacquier. His mother died four years later.
French Revolutionary Wars
thumb|Suchet as a lieutenant-colonel of the 4th Ardèche Battalion in 1792, by Vincent-Nicolas Raverat (1834)
After the Levée en masse of August 1793, Suchet was appointed commander of the 4th Ardèche Battalion. Although designated to take part in the expedition to Egypt, Brune kept Suchet’s services and appointed him his chief of staff in the Army of Italy, a role that he retained under General Barthélemy Joubert, Brune's successor as commander in Italy and Suchet's friend. His son, Louis-Napoléon (1813–1877), succeeded him as Duc d'Albufera.
Legacy
thumb|right|upright|Suchet's grave in the [[Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris]]
His memoirs (') were published in two volumes from 1829 to 1834.
The chicken dish poularde à la d'Albuféra is named after him.
Family
Suchet married Honorine Anthoine de Saint-Joseph (Marseille, 26 February 1790– Paris, 13 April 1884), a niece of Julie Clary, the wife of Joseph Bonaparte, on 16 November 1808. They had three children:
- Louise-Honorine (1811 – 1885)
- Louis-Napoléon (1813 – 1877)
- [daughter, unknown name] (1820 – 1835)
See also
- List of French generals of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars
- Asensio Nebot
Notes
References
Attribution: