UC D'ABRANTES (1 7 71-1813 ), French general, born at Bussy-le-Grand (Cote d'Or), on Oct. 23, 1771. He became secretary to Napoleon during the siege of Toulon, accompanied him to Italy as aide-de-camp, became general of brigade during the expedition to Egypt, and, on his return to France, fought a duel on Napoleon's behalf, and was made com mandant of Paris. He was promoted general of division, and mar ried Laure Permon (see JUNOT, LAURE) , and became a consider able figure in society. He received various appointments, on ac count of his early devotion to Napoleon, but his uncertain tern perament made it dangerous to employ him at court or headquar ters. In 1807 he was given command of the force for the invasion of Portugal. Early in November he set out from Salamanca, crossed the mountains of Beira, rallied his wearied forces at Abrantes, and, with 1,500 men, dashed upon Lisbon, but failed to seize the Portuguese fleet, which had just sailed away with the regent and court to Brazil. The whole movement only took a
month; it was undoubtedly bold and well-conducted, and Junot was made duke of Abrantes and invested with the governorship of Portugal. But administration was his weak point. He was not a civil governor, but a sabreur, brave, truculent, and also dissipated and rapacious. After Wellesley encountered him at Vimiera (see PENINSULAR WAR) he was obliged to conclude the so-called con vention of Cintra, and to withdraw his forces from Portugal. Junot was sent back to Spain, where, acting under Massena (1810-1 I)he was once more seriously wounded. His last campaign was made in Russia, and he received more than a just share of discredit for it. Napoleon next appointed him to govern Illyria. But Ju not's mind had become deranged under the weight of his misf or tunes, and on July 29, 1813, at Montbard, he threw himself from a window in a fit of insanity.