Marshal Patrice de MacMahon, Duke of Magenta

Born Marie Edme Patrice Maurice de MacMahon on June 13, 1808, to an old Irish Jacobite family that had fled to France after the Williamite War. The MacMahons had served France for generations.

Entered the prestigious Saint-Cyr military academy. His family's military tradition continued. He graduated as a cavalry officer.

Began service in the French conquest of Algeria. He would spend much of the next two decades fighting in North Africa, earning a reputation for bravery and leadership.

Commanded a division during the Siege of Sevastopol in the Crimean War. His assault on the Malakoff tower succeeded where others failed. When told to withdraw, he replied: 'J'y suis, j'y reste.'

Won the decisive Battle of Magenta against Austria during the Italian War. Created Duke of Magenta and Marshal of France. His reputation as France's greatest living soldier was secured.

Appointed Governor-General of Algeria. He implemented policies of military colonization. His administration was firm but not brutal by the standards of the time.

Commanded the Army of Alsace when the Franco-Prussian War began. Early defeats forced retreat. He was ordered to relieve Bazaine at Metz - a mission that would end in disaster.

On September 1, 1870, surrounded at Sedan, MacMahon was wounded early in the battle. The army surrendered the next day - 83,000 men, including Napoleon III. The Second Empire fell.

Released from German captivity, MacMahon returned to a France transformed. The Empire was gone, replaced by a provisional republic. His old world had vanished.

Commanded the Versailles forces that suppressed the Paris Commune during 'Bloody Week.' The brutal repression killed tens of thousands. MacMahon saw it as restoring order.

Elected second President of the Third Republic after Thiers was forced out. The monarchist Assembly chose MacMahon to hold the position until a king could be restored.

MacMahon's presidency pursued 'moral order' - conservative, Catholic, anti-republican. He hoped to prepare France for a monarchist restoration that never came.

The May 16th Crisis: MacMahon dismissed the republican prime minister and dissolved the Chamber. The republicans won the subsequent election. The crisis established parliamentary supremacy.

Resigned the presidency in January 1879 when republicans gained control of the Senate. The monarchist soldier could no longer serve a republic that had definitively rejected kings.

Marshal Patrice de MacMahon, Duke of Magenta, died on October 17, 1893. The hero of Magenta, the prisoner of Sedan, the reluctant president, was given a state funeral.