Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Savary, Anne Jean Marie René, Duc de Rovigo

SAVARY (sä-vä-rē′), ANNE JEAN MARIE RENÉ, DUC DE ROVIGO, a French military officer; born in Marcq, France, April 26, 1774. He entered the army as a volunteer in 1790, served with distinction on the Rhine, in Egypt, and in the battle of Marengo (1800). Napoleon made him commander of his bodyguard and employed him in diplomatic affairs. In 1804, as commandant of the troops stationed at Vincennes, he presided at the execution of the Duc d'Enghien; and in the wars of 1806-1808 he acquired high military reputation at Jena, in the capture of Hameln, and by his victory at Ostrolenka (Feb. 16, 1807). Created Duke of Rovigo, he was sent to Spain, and negotiated the perfidious arrangement by which the Spanish king and his son were kidnapped. In 1810 he superseded Fouché as minister of police. After the fall of Napoleon he wished to accompany him to St. Helena; but he was confined by the British Government at Malta, making his escape finally to Smyrna. He returned to Paris in 1818. In 1831 he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the army in Algeria; but ill-health caused him to resign. He wrote his “Memoirs” in 1828. He died in Paris, June 2, 1833.