of the Banque de France, and Adélaïde de Praël de Surville, herself the natural daughter of the banker to the court of Louis XV, Nicolas Beaujon. They had no children and were divorced in 1817. She outlived him by five years, dying in Paris in 1857. Evaluation Marmont is perhaps one of the most controversial marshals created under the Empire. His reputation, like many French generals in Spain, was tarnished by his defeats in the Peninsular War. However, on the whole, Marmont's military career was quite impressive. He was perhaps the most educated of the marshals and one of the few to write a thesis on the art of war. He was a talented strategist, understanding the art of command and the movement of troops. He performed wonderfully in Dalmatia making what John Elting calls "a remarkable 300 mile march through frequently roadless country, scattering two Austrian forces, but clinging to his independent status..." Perhaps even more impressive is his study and evaluation of the Spanish theater of the war. He studied Wellington's nature of war, refusing to give battle against the British unless the ground was of Marmont's choosing. This led to a series of maneuvers where Marmont frequently had the upper hand. Marmont understood the importance of cooperation in the Peninsula by supporting his fellow marshals. Tactically Marmont was deadly and quick to strike, but prone to sloppiness which caused him his two defeats. Notes Sources Arnold, James R. Napoleon Conquers Austria. Westport, Conn.: Praeger Publishers, 1995. Chandler, David The Campaigns of Napoleon. Macmillan, New York, 1966. Hamilton-Williams, David The Fall of Napoleon. John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1994. External links 1774 births 1852 deaths People from Châtillon-sur-Seine Dukes of Raguse Marshals of France Marshals of the First French Empire Grand Officiers of the Légion d'honneur Members of the French Academy of Sciences Illyrian Provinces Peers of France Names inscribed under the Arc de Triomphe