Joseph Fesch

Joseph Fesch (1763-1839) was an eminent French ecclesiastic, born at Ajaccio, the half-brother of Napoleon's mother. He was educated for the Church, but, on the outbreak of the Revolution, joined the revolutionaries as a storekeeper. He co-operated with his illustrious nephew in restoring Catholicism in France, and became in 1802 archbishop of Lyons, and a cardinal in 1803. As ambassador at Rome in 1804 he won the Pope's favour, and brought about a more friendly understanding between him and Napoleon. Later he lost favour with the emperor, and retired to Lyons, whence in 1814 he fled to Rome, there to end his life. He was a lover of art, and left a magnificent collection of pictures.

Nearby pages
Joseph Fouche, Joseph Frederick Desbarres, Joseph Glanvill, Joseph Grimaldi, Joseph Halevy