Talleyrand

Book excerpt: He began his career as a court cleric and rose to become bishop of Autun, a position he retained until his involvement in the radical reorganization of the church during the French Revolution brought about his excommunication and marked the beginning of his career as a statesman and diplomat. Talleyrand achieved great power and influence under Napoleon I as foreign minister and chamberlain of the empire. But it was as France's representative at the Congress of Vienna that Talleyrand demonstrated his diplomatic skill to the fullest by dividing the four allies and winning for France an effective voice in the Settlement of Vienna.