Historian, poet, diplomat.

Entered the corps des gendarmes de la garde. Aide de camp of the maréchal de Richelieu, governor of Guyenne. Secretary to the French embassy in St. Petersburg (1760). Observed and later wrote about Catherine II’s accession to the throne during the revolution of 1762.

Received a pension to write a history of the troubles in Poland for the dauphin (1771). Admitted to the Academy (1787).

Best known for his historical works, published posthumously: Histoires ou anecdotes sur la révolution de Russie (1797); Histoire de l’anarchie de Pologne … (1807).

Recipient of Franklin’s earliest surviving letter in French.

Born near Paris.