LOUVOIS, FRANcOIS MICHEL LE TELLIER, MAR QUIS DE (1641-1691), French statesman, war minister of Louis XIV., was born at Paris on Jan. 18, 1641. He was the son of Michel le Tellier (q.v.), whom he succeeded as war minister in 1666. His talents were perceived by Turenne in the war of Devo lution (1667-68), who gave him instruction in the art of provid ing armies. After the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, Louvois organized the French army. The work of Louvois in the years 1668-72 is bound up with the historical development of the French army and of armies in general. (See ARMY.) Louvois reorganized the mili tary orders of merit, founded the Hotel des Invalides, and en rolled the nobility and gentry of France for service in the army or at court. The success of his measures is to be seen in the victories of the great war of 1672-78. After the peace of Nijm wegen Louvois was high in favour, his father had been made chancellor, and the influence of Colbert was waning. The sur prise of Strassburg in 1681 in time of peace was planned and exe cuted by Louvois and Monclar.
A saving clause in the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, which provided for some liberty of conscience, if not of worship, Louvois sharply annulled. He claimed the credit of inventing the dragon
nades, and mitigated their rigour only in so far as licence was prejudicial to discipline. Colbert died in 1683, and Louvois took the ministry for public buildings. Louvois died suddenly on July 16, 1691. Louvois was a war minister only equalled by Carnot. Both organized old armies on a new system, both were admirable contrivers of campaigns, and both devoted themselves to the material well-being of the soldiers. In private life and in the means employed for gaining his ends, Louvois was unscrupulous. His sudden death caused a suspicion of poisoning.
The principal authority for Louvois's life and times is Camille Rousset's Histoire de Louvois (1872), a great work founded on the 90o volumes of his despatches at the Depot de la Guerre. Saint-Simon from his class prejudices is hardly to be trusted, but Madame de Sevigne throws many side lights on his times. Testament politique de Louvois (1695) is spurious; L. Andre, M. Le Tether de Louvois et Porganisation de Parmee monarchique (TqoC).