Louis Thomas Villaret de Joyeuse | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Portrait of Villaret-Joyeuse, painted in 1839 by Guérin | |
| Born | 29 May 1747 Auch |
| Died | 24 July 1812 (aged 65) Venice |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of France |
| Service |  French Navy |
| Years of service | 1778 — 1797 |
| Rank | Vice-admiral |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Order of St. Louis Grand-croix Legion of Honor Grand-croix |
| Spouse(s) | Thérèse Félicité de Villars de Roche |
Louis-Thomas Villaret de Joyeuse (29 May 1747[1][note 1] – 24 July 1812[2]) was a French Navy officer and politician. He was born in Auch. After serving in the Indies under Suffren, he rose in rank during the early stages of the French Revolution. He was in command of the French fleet during the Glorious First of June, where despite being handed a heavy tactical defeat, he ensured the passage of a vital grain convoy to France.
He led the French fleet during the disastrous Croisière du Grand Hiver and failed to prevent a British fleet from successfully retreating, with his last battle being a defeat off Groix. He was relieved when he refused to serve for the disastrous Expédition d'Irlande. Villaret was then elected at the Council of Five Hundred. He joined the Club de Clichy, a party promoting colonies and slavery, and harbouring Royalist sympathies. After the Coup of 18 Fructidor, Villaret was to be deported to Cayenne but went into hiding long enough for his sentence to be commuted to exile to Oléron, where he went willingly.
Reinstated in 1801, Villaret took command of the naval component of the Saint-Domingue expedition, and was appointed captain general of Martinique and Sainte-Lucie alongside the colonial prefect, Charles-Henri Bertin. He served in this capacity until the British captured Martinique in 1809. Returned to France, Villaret fell in disfavour for his perceived weak defence during the invasion. After two years, Napoléon pardoned him and appointed him governor of Venice. Villaret died there of edema on 24 July 1812.
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