Capefigue, Baprisrn-Honort-Raaymonp, historian, b. at Marseilles, 1802; d. at Paris, 22 December, 1872. In 1821 he was a law student at Paris; at a later date he became a contributor to the ‘ Quotidienne”, and in 1827 he was made editor of the Legitimist journal, “Messager des Chambres”. On account of his journalistic activity in behalf of the government, Capefigue soon received a position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but lost it in ‘consequence of the Revolution of July. A strong Royalist, he was after this an active supporter of the Orleanists in his writings and later of Napoleon. Capefigue was a prolific writer; his works are, consequently, somewhat superficial and of no great historical value, but in them he always maintained his convictions as a devout Catholic. His first work was entitled: “Recueil des opérations de l’armée frangaise en Espagne sous les ordres du Duc d’Angouléme” (Paris, 1823). His principal work, “ Histoire de Philippe-Auguste” (Paris, 1827-1829), 4 vols., passed through several editions, The best of his publications is: “ Histoire de la Restauration et des causes qui ont amené la chute de la branche ainée des Bourbons” (Paris, 1831, 10 vols; 3d ed., Paris, 1842, 4 vols.). Of less importance was the work, on a more ambitious scale, “T’ Europe depuis l’avénement de Louis-Philippe” (Paris, 1845-1846, 16 vols.; 2d ed., 1847-1849, 10 vols.), and the publication entitled, “L’Europe depuis la chute de Louis-Philippe jusqu’a la présidence de Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte” (Paris, 1849), 3 vols. Mention should also be made of: “Les reines de la main gauche” (Paris, 1858-1864), 15 vols., which includes sketches of Agnes Sorel, Pompadour, du Barry, etc., and “ Les reines de la main droite” (Paris, 1856-1864), 6 vols., sketches of Catherine de’ Medici, Elizabeth of England, and Maria Theresa, etc. Among his writings which belong to the department of church history are: ‘Vie de saint Vincent de Paul” (Paris, 1827; 2d ed., 1840); “Quatre premiers siécles de lEglise chrétienne” (Paris, 1850), 4 vols. Capefigue also produced a historical novel called: “ Jacques II & Saint-Germain” (Paris, 1833), 2 vols.
Patricius Schlager.