Born at Versailles, 1776; died in Paris, 1838.
His family emigrated in the early days of the Revolution, and settled
in Italy.
After the formation of Condé’s army, young Fitz James joined its ranks,
became aide-de-camp to Marshal Castries, showing on many occasions
great personal bravery. After the forcible dispersion of the French
_Emigré_ Regiment, Fitz James visited England and Scotland, and
married in London a Mdlle. Latouche.
During the Consulate he applied for, and received, permission to reside
in France.
He refused to accept any place or dignity at the hands of Napoleon,
and took no part in public affairs until December 1813 (when the fall
of the Empire appeared imminent). He then entered the National Guard
as a non-commissioned officer, with the object of obtaining a secret
influence over the men. In this he was successful, for his arguments
and actions practically caused the refusal on the part of the National
Guard to attack the Allied Army then marching upon Paris.
After the capitulation of that city, Fitz James organised and headed
a vast demonstration in favour of the restoration of the Bourbons.
Thousands of young men rushed through the streets of Paris, waving
white flags and shouting _Vive le Roi!_ This popular manifestation
greatly affected the Emperor Alexander, and caused his final decision
in favour of the Restoration of the ancient monarchy.
When Louis XVIII. assumed the sovereignty of France, Fitz James was
created a Peer, Colonel of the National Cavalry, and Chamberlain to
Count d’Artois. During the second Restoration Fitz James was one of the
principal instigators of the severe reprisals on the Royalist side,
known as the “White Terror.” Marshal Ney’s execution was caused by the
efforts of Fitz James.
He unsuccessfully endeavoured to bring about the condemnation to death
of General Bertrand, although the latter was his own brother-in-law.
A wild fanaticism seemed at this period to have affected his mind. He
opposed every constitutional concession on the part of the Government,
and showed himself so hostile to Ministerial and even Royalist
projects, that he was finally forbidden to appear at Court.
After the Revolution of 1830, Fitz James, as a Peer of France, took the
oath of allegiance to Louis Philippe. But in secret he was still loyal
to the exiled King.
At the time of the rising in La Vendée excited by the Duchess de Berry,
Fitz James was arrested, but released owing to lack of evidence against
him.
He became Deputy for Toulouse in 1834, and until his death four years
later was a prominent member of the Right in the French Parliament, and
took a considerable part in the debates.