Pier Daru Count (1809), intendant general. Date of Birth: 12.01.1767 Country: France

Biography of Pierre Daru

Pierre Antoine Noël Bruno de Daru, a count (1809) and general-intendant, was born in France. He joined the army in 1783 and showed sympathy towards the revolution. From 1784, he held the position of military commissioner. In 1792, he became a commissioner-intendant and later the chief treasurer of the Coastal Army.

During the era of the Terror, Daru was arrested but was released only after the overthrow of the Thermidorian Convention. After the 18th of Fructidor, he became the chief treasurer of the Helvetic Army. Following the coup of the 18th of Brumaire, he was transferred to the Ministry of War and later appointed as the general secretary of the ministry.

In 1802, Daru became a member of the Tribunate. He was awarded the rank of state chancellor in 1804 and became a member of the State Council in 1805. In 1806, he became a member of the French Academy. From 1804 to 1809, he served as the general-intendant of the army and was known for his exceptional skills in army logistics.

Daru accompanied Napoleon in his campaigns in 1805, 1806-1807, and 1809. After defeating the enemy, he became the general-intendant of Austria in 1805 and 1809, as well as Prussia in 1807. He made every effort to extract multimillion contributions from the conquered countries for the needs of the French army.

Despite expressing strong opposition to Napoleon's policies, Daru was entrusted with the preparation of the campaign against Russia. On April 17, 1811, he was appointed as a state secretary. He fulfilled his duties with honor and became the chief intendant of the Grande Armée in 1812, accompanying Napoleon throughout the entire campaign.

During a meeting on July 28, 1812, where Napoleon announced his decision to march towards Smolensk, Daru strongly opposed this plan. In Moscow, he suggested fortifying the city and staying for the winter, waiting for reinforcements from Lithuania.

From November 20, 1813, Daru served as the Minister of War Supplies for France. After Napoleon's abdication, he did not show enthusiasm and fell into disfavor. During the Hundred Days, he was appointed by Napoleon to a minor position as a member of the State Council and a state minister.

Initially, during the second restoration in 1816, Daru found himself out of favor, but in 1819, he became a peer of France. In 1816, he was elected as a member of the French Academy. He was one of the most prominent representatives of the liberal opposition in the Chamber of Peers.