POMPADOUR, Jeanne Antoinette son, zhan in-twan-et psva-s66 pan-pi-door, MARQUISE DE, mistress of Louis XV: b. 29 Dec. 1721; d. Versailles, 15 April 1764. She was the daughter of Francois Poisson, equerry to the Duke of Orleans, and not butcher to the In valides as frequently stated. The paternity of the future favorite was, however, claimed by Lenormand de Tournehem, a rich ferrnier-gen oral, who spared no pains to give her a brilliant education, and at his death left her the half of his immense fortune. In 1741 she was married to her cousin Lenormand d'Eti olles. She succeeded in attracting the attention of the king, was formally presented to him and soon entirely engrossed his favor, appear ing at court under the title of Marquise de Pompadour. Here she enjoyed the highest consideration, but did not at first interfere in political affairs, satisfied with appearing as the patroness of learning and the arts. She col lected books, pictures and curiosities, and en couraged the institution of the military school of which Paris du Verney was the founder. But when she could only maintain her influence with the king by furnishing him other objects for favor, she turned her attention to state affairs. She filled the most important offices
with her favorites, and contributed to produce those evils which afterward pressed so heavily on France. It is said to have been principally owing to her that France became involved in the war against Frederick II. The Empress Maria Theresa had propitiated her favor by writing to her with her own hand a letter in which she called her °dear cousin.° The bur dens and sufferings which this war brought upon France must be laid at her door, since she removed Berms, who was in favor of peace, and supplied his place by Choiseul, effected the recall of Marshal d'Estrees at the moment of triumph, and promoted incapable generals to the command. She died little regretted by the king (see Louis XV), and hated and reviled by the nation. To her credit, however, is awarded praise for her patronage of literary men and artists. Consult Beauporist, 'Secret Memoirs of La Marquise de (1885) ; Goncourt, 'Madame de (1887) ; Pavlovski, 'La Marquise de Pompa dour) (1888) ; Fleury, 'Louis XV intime> (1899) ; De Caraman, Famine de in Mar quise de Pompadour) (1900).