# Armand-Emmanuel de Vignerot du Plessis, Duc de Richelieu

> French politician (1766-1822)

**Wikidata**: [Q459197](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q459197)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armand_Emmanuel_de_Vignerot_du_Plessis,_5th_Duke_of_Richelieu)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/armand-emmanuel-de-vignerot-du-plessis-duc-de-richelieu

## Summary
Armand-Emmanuel de Vignerot du Plessis, Duc de Richelieu (1766–1822), was a prominent French politician and diplomat who also served as a military personnel. He is best known for his significant political career spanning both the French and Russian Empires, where he held high-ranking positions and received numerous prestigious awards from both nations. His life and work are documented through extensive historical records, including his membership in the Académie Française and the Académie des beaux-arts.

## Biography
- **Born**: September 25, 1766
- **Nationality**: France, Russian Empire
- **Education**: Not specified in source material
- **Known for**: Serving as a French politician, diplomat, and military personnel with dual citizenship in France and the Russian Empire
- **Employer(s)**: French Republic, Russian Empire
- **Field(s)**: Politics, Diplomacy, Military Service

## Contributions
Based on the provided source material, specific details regarding publications, companies founded, or specific projects led by Armand-Emmanuel de Vignerot du Plessis, Duc de Richelieu are not explicitly detailed. However, his contributions are evidenced by his high-level roles and recognition:
- **Political Leadership**: Served as a key political figure in France and the Russian Empire during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
- **Diplomatic Service**: Acted as a diplomat representing his nations in international affairs.
- **Military Service**: Served as military personnel in organized armed forces.
- **Institutional Membership**: Became a member of the Académie Française (founded 1635) and the Académie des beaux-arts (founded 1816), contributing to French cultural and linguistic institutions.
- **Legacy Projects**: Associated with the founding of the Richelieu Lyceum in Ukraine in 1817 and the Nikitsky Botanical Garden in Crimea in 1812.

## FAQs
**What were the nationalities of Armand-Emmanuel de Vignerot du Plessis, Duc de Richelieu?**
He held citizenship in both France and the Russian Empire, reflecting his dual role in the politics and military of these two major powers. This unique status allowed him to receive honors and serve in high offices in both nations.

**Which prestigious academies was he a member of?**
He was a member of the Académie Française, the pre-eminent council for the French language, and the Académie des beaux-arts, a French learned society based in Paris. These memberships highlight his standing in French intellectual and cultural circles.

**What awards did he receive during his lifetime?**
He received numerous high honors, including the Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky, the Order of St. Andrew, and the Gold Sword for Bravery from the Russian Empire. From France, he was awarded multiple ranks of the Legion of Honour (Knight, Officer, Commander) and the Order of the Holy Spirit.

**What institutions are named after or associated with him?**
The Richelieu Lyceum, established in Ukraine in 1817, and the Nikitsky Botanical Garden in Crimea, founded in 1812, are notable institutions linked to his era and influence. These establishments reflect his impact on education and science in the regions under Russian influence.

## Why They Matter
Armand-Emmanuel de Vignerot du Plessis, Duc de Richelieu matters as a bridge between French and Russian political spheres during a transformative era in European history. His dual citizenship and high-ranking roles in both the French and Russian Empires illustrate the complex diplomatic and military alliances of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His recognition by both nations through prestigious orders and his membership in elite French academies underscore his significance as a statesman and cultural figure. Without his contributions, the historical narrative of Franco-Russian relations and the development of institutions in Crimea and Ukraine might lack this specific dimension of cross-cultural leadership.

## Notable For
- **Dual Citizenship**: Holding citizenship in both France and the Russian Empire.
- **High-Ranking Awards**: Receiving the Order of St. Andrew (highest Russian order) and the Order of the Holy Spirit (French chivalric order).
- **Legion of Honour**: Achieving multiple ranks within the French Legion of Honour (Knight, Officer, Commander).
- **Military Bravery**: Being awarded the Gold Sword for Bravery by the Russian Empire.
- **Academic Membership**: Serving as a member of the Académie Française and the Académie des beaux-arts.
- **Institutional Founding**: Being associated with the establishment of the Richelieu Lyceum (1817) and the Nikitsky Botanical Garden (1812).
- **Political Roles**: Serving as a politician, diplomat, and military personnel in two major empires.

## Body

### Early Life and Identity
Armand-Emmanuel de Vignerot du Plessis, Duc de Richelieu, was born on September 25, 1766. He is identified as a French politician who lived until May 17, 1822. His full name includes the titles "Armand Emmanuel Sophie Septemanie de Vignerot du Plessis" and "Armand-Emmanuel du Plessis de Richelieu." He is an instance of a human and a member of the human species. His life spanned a critical period in European history, bridging the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars.

### Nationality and Citizenship
He held citizenship in two distinct nations: France and the Russian Empire. This dual status was rare and significant, allowing him to navigate the political landscapes of both Western Europe and Eurasia. His connection to France is rooted in his birth and early life, while his ties to the Russian Empire reflect his service and integration into its aristocratic and political structures.

### Career and Occupations
His professional life was multifaceted, encompassing roles as a politician, diplomat, and military personnel. As a politician, he held positions in government, contributing to the governance of his respective nations. His diplomatic career involved representing his countries in international relations, fostering alliances and managing conflicts. Additionally, he served in organized armed military forces, demonstrating his commitment to national defense and military strategy.

### Awards and Honors
Richelieu received a wide array of prestigious awards from both France and the Russian Empire, reflecting his high status and contributions.
- **Russian Empire Honors**:
  - **Order of St. Andrew**: The highest order of chivalry in the Russian Empire.
  - **Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky**: A significant order of chivalry.
  - **Gold Sword for Bravery**: An award specifically for acts of bravery.
- **French Honors**:
  - **Legion of Honour**: He achieved multiple ranks, including Knight, Officer, and Commander.
  - **Order of the Holy Spirit**: A former French order of chivalry, indicating his high standing in French society.
- **Other International Honors**:
  - **Order of the Black Eagle**: The highest order of chivalry in the Kingdom of Prussia.
  - **Order of the Elephant**: The highest chivalric order in Denmark.

### Institutional Affiliations
He was a member of two of France's most prestigious learned societies:
- **Académie Française**: Founded in 1635, this council is the pre-eminent authority on the French language.
- **Académie des beaux-arts**: Established in 1816, this society is based in Paris and focuses on the arts.
These memberships highlight his intellectual and cultural contributions beyond his political and military roles.

### Legacy and Associated Institutions
Several institutions are linked to his legacy, particularly in regions influenced by the Russian Empire:
- **Richelieu Lyceum**: Founded in 1817 in Ukraine, this educational institution bears his name, signifying his impact on education.
- **Nikitsky Botanical Garden**: Established in 1812 in Crimea, this botanical garden is another testament to his influence on science and nature conservation.
These institutions continue to serve as reminders of his contributions to education and science in the 19th century.

### Historical Context and Connections
His life intersected with major historical events and entities:
- **French Empire**: He lived during the era of the First French Empire (1804–1815).
- **Russian Empire**: He was active during the height of the Russian Empire (1721–1917), a period marked by significant territorial expansion and political change.
- **Geopolitical Influence**: His career spanned the borders of France, Russia, and other European powers, reflecting the complex geopolitical landscape of his time.

### Digital and Archival Presence
Richelieu is well-documented in various digital and archival databases, ensuring his historical record is preserved:
- **Wikidata**: Identified by the ID Q858706.
- **VIAF**: Virtual International Authority File ID 247149066396265601002.
- **GND**: German National Library ID 119006200.
- **Library of Congress**: Authority ID n80001203.
- **Bibliothèque nationale de France**: ID 119405184.
- **Wikipedia**: His Wikipedia title is "Armand Emmanuel de Vignerot du Plessis, 5th Duke of Richelieu."
These identifiers facilitate research and access to information about his life and work across multiple languages and platforms.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. SNAC
5. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
6. Léonore database
7. GeneaStar
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. Enciclopedia Treccani
11. LIBRIS. 2012
12. Dizionario di Storia
13. Catalogo of the National Library of India