Claude-Ambroise Régnier
Duke of Massa
Pronunciation:
Claude-Ambroise Régnier was born in Blâmont (in today's Meurthe-et-Moselle department) on November 5, 1746. A lawyer in Nancy, he was sent by his city to the Estates General, where he distinguished himself by his moderation. After surviving the Terror unscathed, he was elected to the Conseil des Anciens in 1795.
His participation in the 18 Brumaire secured him a place on the Conseil d'État as soon as it was created. There, he helped draft the Civil Code.
Appointed Grand Juge (Minister of Justice) in 1802, he also headed the police force until his incompetence in this post led to the re-establishment of the Ministry of the General Police (July 10, 1804).
Count of the Empire in 1808, Duke of Massa di Carrara in 1809, he gave way to Molé on November 20, 1813 to become President of a Legislative Body of which he was not a member.
In 1814, he voted to depose Napoleon I and died shortly afterwards, on June 25, in Paris.
Claude-Ambroise Régnier is buried in the Panthéon , vault II .
"Claude-Ambroise Régnier, duke of Massa, Chief Justice and Minister of Justice" painted in 1808 by Robert Jacques François Faust Lefèvre (Bayeux 1755 - Paris 1830).
