More details: She offered to raise all female regiments in both the American and French Revolutions, but was refused by both. Later in life while living in Britain, she became a celebrity due to her participation in fencing tournaments and her earlier betray of the French crown.

Some details about her spying: She was part of Louis XV’s “King’s Secret” spy ring in Russia and later Britain, the group’s activities secret even to the French govt. In Britain, she was tasked with using her position as a diplomat to gather information for a French invasion.

When Louis XV tried to recall her from the top diplomatic post to Britain, she turned on him; publishing some secret documents but holding back the invasion plans as ransom, which would be damaging for the King not only diplomatically but even within the French govt.

In exchange for handing over the invasion plans, she was able to negotiate to have her gender identity recognized in France (it had been earlier in Britain), retain her pension from the diplomatic post, and have a noblewoman’s wardrobe made for her by the royal dressmaker.

There’s a lot more I could say about her colorful life, but I think I will leave it there. The website http://Them.us has an article for more info, and there is a biography entitled “Monsieur D'eon Is A Woman” which provides some good detail, but insists she was a man.

You can follow @EmmaStarBird.

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