Frédéric Jérôme de La Rochefoucauld(Versailles, 16 July 1701 – Paris, 29 April 1757) was a Frenchcardinalknown as theCardinal de La Rochefoucauld.
Biography
editBorn in a noble family, he was the third of the six children of François de la Rochefoucauld, count of Roye, and Catherine Françoise d'Arpajon. He studied at the Sorbonne, where he obtained a doctorate in theology.
He was electedArchbishop of Bourgesin 1729, which he would remain until his death. On 2 February 1742 he was appointed Commander of theOrder of the Holy Spirit.He was also chosen as president of the Assembly of the Clergy which was held in April 1742, also obtaining the privilege of preparing it directly with the King instead of with his ministers. In the same year he was appointedGrand Almoner of France.In 1745 Louis XV appointed himFrench ambassador before the Holy SeetoPope Benedict XIVto replace the abbot of Canillac.
Pope Benedict XIV appointed him Cardinal in the consistory of 10 April 1747, with the title of cardinal presbyter ofSant'Agnese fuori le mura.TheMusical Feast Given by the Cardinal de La Rochefoucauld for the Marriage of the Dauphinat theTeatro Argentina,inRomeon 15 July 1747, was immortalized in a painting by Italian artistGiovanni Paolo Panini.In December of that year he was recalled to Paris.
He was alsocommendatory abbotof theBasilica of Saint-Martin d'Ainay(1747-1757),Abbey of Cluny(1747-1757) andAbbey of Saint Wandrille(1755-1757). He died in Paris on 29 April 1757, and was buried in the choir of the church of Saint-Sulpice. His heart was deposited in the church of Saint-Martin-des-Champs.