Louis XV | Brief Biography

Louis XV | Brief Biography

Louis XV

Louis XV was the King of France from 1715 to 1774. He was born on February 15, 1710, in the Palace of Versailles, and was the great-grandson of King Louis XIV. His reign was marked by political, economic, and military challenges, including the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years’ War. Despite these difficulties, Louis XV is remembered as a patron of the arts and sciences, and as a ruler who tried to modernize the French state.

Early Life

Louis XV was the only surviving son of the Duke of Burgundy and his wife, Marie Adélaïde of Savoy. He was raised at the Palace of Versailles and was tutored by some of the best minds of his time, including the philosopher and writer Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Louis was only five years old when his great-grandfather, King Louis XIV, died, and he was crowned King of France on September 1, 1715.

Reign

Louis XV inherited a France that was in a state of decline. The country was deeply in debt, and its political and military power had been weakened by the long and costly wars of Louis XIV. In an effort to restore France to its former glory, Louis XV made several reforms, including the creation of a new military academy, the establishment of a professional army, and the expansion of the French colonial empire.

Despite these efforts, Louis XV‘s reign was marked by political, economic, and military challenges. The War of the Austrian Succession, which lasted from 1740 to 1748, drained France’s resources and weakened its position in Europe. The Seven Years’ War, which lasted from 1756 to 1763, was even more damaging, and France lost many of its colonies to Britain.

Patron of the Arts and Sciences

Despite the difficulties of his reign, Louis XV is remembered as a patron of the arts and sciences. He supported many of the leading artists, writers, and scientists of his time, including the composer Jean-Philippe Rameau, the philosopher Voltaire, and the mathematician and physicist Pierre-Louis Moreau de Maupertuis. Louis XV also commissioned several magnificent buildings and works of art, including the Palace of Versailles, the Château de Choisy, and the Salon d’Hercule at the Louvre.

Personal Life

Louis XV was married twice, first to Marie Leszczynska, the daughter of the King of Poland, and later to Marie Jeanne de Savoie-Nemours, the daughter of the Duke of Savoy. He had several mistresses, including Madame de Pompadour and Madame du Barry, both of whom exerted a great deal of influence over him. Louis XV had many children, but only one, Louis, survived to adulthood.

Death and Legacy

Louis XV died on May 10, 1774, at the Palace of Versailles. He was succeeded by his grandson, Louis XVI, who would go on to face the challenges of the French Revolution. Despite the difficulties of his reign, Louis XV is remembered as a patron of the arts and sciences, and as a ruler who tried to modernize the French state. 0 0 0.

Sources

“Louis XV.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., n.d. Web.
“Louis XV of France.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Feb. 2023. Web.
“Louis XV.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web.
“Louis XV (1710-1774).” The Metropolitan Museum of Art. ***

N.B. The article originally belongs to the book ‘Brief Biographies of Eminent Monarchs‘ by Menonim Menonimus.

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