Jérôme Phélypeaux

Who was Jérôme Phélypeaux?

Jérôme Phélypeaux, comte de Pontchartrain, was a French politician, son of Louis Phélypeaux.

He served as a councillor to the parlement of Paris from 1692, and served with his father as Secretary of State of the Maison du Roi and Navy Minster from 1699 onwards. His management of the French Navy was criticised, but recent historiography has reevaulated his contributions. He directed a significant programme of explorations and encouraged the settlement and development of Louisiana. He was responsible for the creation of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres.

His first marriage, in 1697, was with Éléonore Christine de La Rochefoucauld de Roye. Five children were born to this marriage:

Marie Françoise Christine

Louis François, comte de Maurepas

Jean Frédéric, comte de Maurepas, later comte de Pontchartrain

Paul Jérôme, marquis de Chefboutonne, a soldier

Charles Henri, bishop of Blois

He remarried in July 1713 with Hélène de L'Aubespine, with whom he had two daughters.

Marie Louise,

Hélène Françoise Angélique, who married Louis-Jules Mancini-Mazarini, Duc de Nivernais