born Sept. 3, 1781, Paris, France
died Feb. 21, 1824, Munich, Bavaria
French administrator and general.
Son of Joséphine and Alexandre, viscount de Beauharnais , he became a useful military aide to his stepfather, Napoleon . In 1804 he received the title of prince and was appointed archchancellor of state. He was named Napoleon's viceroy in Italy (1805), where he reorganized public finances, built roads, and introduced the French legal system. As commander of the Italian army, he fought admirably in various conflicts. In 1814 he held out in Italy against the Austrians and the Neapolitans but was forced to conclude an armistice. He retired to the Bavarian court of his wife's family.