Joseph Fouché was born near Nantes to a modest maritime family. His father was a sea captain, giving him practical sensibilities.

Fouché joined the Oratorians as a teacher of physics and mathematics, beginning a career in education before politics called.

Fouché was elected to the National Convention, where he would vote for the execution of Louis XVI and become deeply involved in the Terror.

Fouché crushed the royalist revolt at Lyon with extreme violence, executing hundreds by cannon fire, earning a reputation for ruthlessness.

Targeted by Robespierre for recall, Fouché conspired in the Thermidorian reaction that overthrew Robespierre and ended the Terror.

The Directory appointed Fouché as Minister of Police, beginning his famous tenure controlling France's security apparatus.

Fouché supported Napoleon's coup of 18 Brumaire, ensuring police cooperation and beginning his service to the new regime.

As Napoleon's police minister, Fouché built an extensive network of spies and informants, knowing secrets of everyone important in France.

Napoleon dismissed Fouché for conducting secret peace negotiations with Britain without authorization, though he was later recalled.

Despite his republican past, Fouché accepted the title Duke of Otranto from Napoleon, completing his transformation from revolutionary to nobleman.

When Napoleon returned from Elba, Fouché served again as police minister while secretly preparing for the inevitable Bourbon return.

After Waterloo, Fouché negotiated with the Allies and helped arrange the second Bourbon Restoration, betraying Napoleon completely.

Fouché briefly served as police minister under Louis XVIII, a regicide serving a Bourbon king, before being dismissed and exiled.

The returning ultraroyalists could not tolerate a king-killer in government. Fouché was exiled and stripped of his titles.

Fouché died in Trieste, Austria, largely forgotten, the master survivor who had served the Republic, Napoleon, and the Bourbons.