Charles Maurice de Talleyrand is one of the most significant figures in both French and European history in the nineteenth century. His active career was to last from the end of the reign of Louis XV to the beginning of the July Monarchy under Louis-Philippe almost sixty years later. His life spanned the dramatic revolutions of France, which were to change the face of Europe.

Like a political chameleon, Talleyrand adopted the appropriate political mask, and of course the suitable political rhetoric, according to the outcome of the power plays that had been conducted on the national and international scene. In other words, he had more than one face. Thus, as Agent General of the Catholic Church between 1780-85, he vigorously defended it from attacks on its property by the monarchy. As revolutionary bishop in 1789, however, he proposed the sale of Church lands as a means of resolving the country s acute financial crisis. As foreign minister under Napoleon, he supported an aggressive expansionist policy both on the Continent and overseas and helped implement measures that were directed specifically at the defeat of Britain. As envoy to London in 1792, and again as ambassador to the court of St James under the Restoration, he advocated an alliance between France and Britain.

This colourful life of Talleyrand provides a vital insight into the turbulent changes and issues of the nineteenth century.

Philip Dwyer is Lecturer in History, University of Newcastle, Australia. He is the editor of Napoleon and Europe (Longman 2001) and the co-author of The French Revolution and Napoleon: A Sourcebook (2002).