Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban

May 1633 – 30 March 1707

Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban was a French military engineer and Marshal of France under Louis XIV, regarded as the greatest fortification engineer of his age. He designed or improved some 300 fortresses ringing France, directed dozens of successful sieges, and revolutionized both siegecraft and defensive design.

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Life events

Born in Saint-Léger-de-Foucheret, Burgundy, France
May 1633

Vauban was born in May 1633 into a family of minor Burgundian nobility of modest means.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Joined the army of the Prince de Condé during the Fronde
1651

In 1651 the young Vauban enlisted as a cadet in Condé's rebel regiment, gaining his first experience of siege warfare.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Entered royal service and was commissioned a king's engineer
May 1655

After being captured and won over to the royal cause, Vauban became an ingénieur du roi in 1655, beginning a lifetime of service to Louis XIV.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Jeanne d'Osnay
March 1660

Vauban married Jeanne d'Osnay in 1660; his military duties kept him away from home for most of his married life.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Built the 'iron belt' of fortresses around France
c. 1667 – c. 1707

Over his career Vauban designed new fortresses and upgraded some 300 strongholds, creating the ceinture de fer that secured France's frontiers.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Directed the celebrated siege of Maastricht
June 1673

At Maastricht in June 1673 Vauban introduced his systematic method of parallel trenches, which took the fortress in under two weeks and became the model for European siegecraft.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed Commissioner General of Fortifications
1678

In 1678 Vauban became France's Commissaire général des fortifications, overseeing the kingdom's entire defensive network.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Created Marshal of France
14 January 1703

On 14 January 1703 Louis XIV raised Vauban to the dignity of Marshal of France, the first engineer to receive the honour.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Published his 'Projet d'une dîme royale' proposing tax reform
1707

In 1707 Vauban published a plan for a fairer royal tithe taxing all classes, which displeased the court and was suppressed.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in Paris
30 March 1707

Vauban died of pneumonia in Paris on 30 March 1707; his heart was later placed in Les Invalides by order of Napoleon.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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