GOURVILLE, JEAN HERAULD French adventurer, was born at La Rochefoucauld, and in 1646 became secretary to Francois de la Rochefoucauld, author of the Maximes, whom he served during the Fronde, in his intrigues with the parliament, the court and the princes. In these negotia tions he came into contact with Conde, Mazarin and Nicolas Fou quet. In 1658 he farmed the taille in Guienne. He bought depre ciated rentes and had them raised to their nominal value by the treasury ; he extorted gifts from the financiers for his protection, being Fouquet's confidant in many operations of which he shared the profits. In three years he accumulated an enormous for tune, increased by his luck at cards. He was involved in the trial of Fouquet, and in April 1663 was condemned to death for peculation and embezzlement of public funds; but, escaping, was executed in effigy. He sent a valet to take the effigy down from the gallows in the court of the Palais de Justice, and then fled the country. After five years' absence he returned, entered the service of Conde, and received diplomatic missions in Ger many, Holland and Spain. In 1694 he was legally rehabilitated. See his Memoires (1724), of which there is a modern edition, with notes, an introduction and appendix, by Lecestre (1894-95, 2 vols.) . They are a useful source for certain transactions of the time.