Marguerite Georges
Encyclopedia
Marguerite Georges was a French stage actor. She belonged to the most famous French actors of her time. She is also known for her affair with Napoleon.
, the daughter of a German employed in the theatre orchestra in Amiens
. She debuted on stage in 1802 at the age of fifteen at the Théâtre Français in Paris; she was made sociétaire
in 1804. Her affair with Napoleon took place between 1802 and 1804, and was rumoured to be the reason she left France in 1808. She was active in Saint Petersburg
in Russia in 1808-1812 and toured Europe in 1812-1813, during which she performed at the Royal Dramatic Theatre
in Stockholm
and Dresden
. She then returned to France. She was active at the Théatre Français in 1813-1818, at the Odéon Theatre
and in 1831-49 at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin
. She retired in 1853 and received a pension from Joseph Bonaparte
, Napoleon's brother. She died in Passy
.
Biography
Marguerite Georges was born Marguerite-Josephine Weimer in BayeuxBayeux
Bayeux is a commune in the Calvados department in Normandy in northwestern France.Bayeux is the home of the Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England.-Administration:Bayeux is a sub-prefecture of Calvados...
, the daughter of a German employed in the theatre orchestra in Amiens
Amiens
Amiens is a city and commune in northern France, north of Paris and south-west of Lille. It is the capital of the Somme department in Picardy...
. She debuted on stage in 1802 at the age of fifteen at the Théâtre Français in Paris; she was made sociétaire
Sociétaires of the Comédie-Française
The sociétaires of the Comédie-Française are chosen from among the pensionnaires who have been in the company a year or more.They are decided upon in the course of a general assembly of the company's administrative committee, made up of 6 existing sociétaires, the senior sociétaire, and the general...
in 1804. Her affair with Napoleon took place between 1802 and 1804, and was rumoured to be the reason she left France in 1808. She was active in Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
in Russia in 1808-1812 and toured Europe in 1812-1813, during which she performed at the Royal Dramatic Theatre
Royal Dramatic Theatre
The Royal Dramatic Theatre is Sweden's national stage for "spoken drama", founded in 1788. Around one thousand shows are put on annually on the theatre's eight running stages....
in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
and Dresden
Dresden
Dresden is the capital city of the Free State of Saxony in Germany. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the Czech border. The Dresden conurbation is part of the Saxon Triangle metropolitan area....
. She then returned to France. She was active at the Théatre Français in 1813-1818, at the Odéon Theatre
Odeon Theatre
The Odeon Theatre is a theatre in Bucharest, Romania, located on Calea Victoriei, and is one of the best-known performing arts venues in Bucharest. As an institution, it descends from the Teatrul Muncitoresc CFR Giuleşti, founded 1946; it moved to its current location, the Sala Majestic, in 1974...
and in 1831-49 at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin
Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin
The Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin is a venerable theatre and opera house at 18, Boulevard Saint-Martin in the 10e arrondissement of Paris.- History :...
. She retired in 1853 and received a pension from Joseph Bonaparte
Joseph Bonaparte
Joseph-Napoléon Bonaparte was the elder brother of Napoleon Bonaparte, who made him King of Naples and Sicily , and later King of Spain...
, Napoleon's brother. She died in Passy
Passy
Passy is an area of Paris, France, located in the XVIe arrondissement, on the Right Bank. It is traditionally home to many of the city's wealthiest residents.Passy was formerly a commune...
.