Anne C. de la Luzerne (378)

Anne-César de La Luzerne (1741–1791) was a diplomat, and a member of the American Philosophical Society, elected in 1780. Born in Paris, he joined the Regiment of French Guards in 1754 as just a boy, reached the rank of Colonel of Grenadiers, and by 1777 began working as special envoy to the Elector of Bavaria. His success in that role led to his appointment as Minister to the United States, succeeding Gérard de Rayneval (1779). While serving as Minister, Luzerne wielded considerable influence in Maryland’s ratification of the Articles of Confederation, threatening to rescind French naval protection to force the state’s hand (1781), and then attained the honor of Maréchal de Camp later that year. Returning to France by 1784, he became Chevalier of the Order of St. Louis, and then Marquis (1785). Then, in 1788 Luzerne began working as French ambassador to England, a role which he served until his death.