[Born in Alsace, 1755. Died in Paris, 1820. Aged 65.]
One of the many who at the breaking out of the French Revolution found
themselves on the lowest step of the social ladder, and in time, by
force of ability and valour, mounted to the very highest. Lefebvre was
the son of a miller, and being an orphan, was brought up in charity by a
relative. He enlisted in the Guard, and, at the time of the Revolution,
had become a sergeant. Before forty, he was General of brigade. In 1804,
Marshal of the Empire. In 1807, besieged and took Dantzic, and for the
exploit received his title. In the expedition to Russia (1812) he had
the command of the Imperial Guard. Upon the restoration of Louis XVIII,
made peer of France, but deprived of his dignity at the second
restoration, in consequence of his equivocal conduct during the hundred
days. He died in 1820, having followed twelve sons to the grave. He was
not a brilliant soldier, nor had he striking qualities of mind; but he
was intelligent, well-informed, modest, and discreet--qualities not
without their value in an officer of Napoleon’s army.
[From the marble in the Tuileries.]