A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Aiguillon, Duchess d'
AIGUILLON, DUCHESS D',
Niece of the Cardinal de Richelieu, was the first lady of high rank whose house was opened to all men of letters. There men of talent were received, together with the greatest noblemen of the court. These assemblies had much influence on the manners of the French. The duchess was a woman of intelligence, piety, and the greatest generosity. After the death of Richelieu, under the direction of the devout Vincent de Paul, she united in all benevolent works. She endowed hospitals, bought slaves to set them free, liberated prisoners, and maintained missionaries in France and distant countries. She died in 1675.