The New Student's Reference Work/Junot, Andoche, Duc d'Abrantes

Junot (zhū' nō'), Andoche, Duc d'Abrantes, one of Napoleon's famous generals, was born at Bussy-le-Grand, France, Oct. 23, 1771. He entered the army as a volunteer in 1792. His courage at Toulon caught the eye of Napoleon who carried him with him to Egypt as adjutant. At Nazareth he put 10,000 Turks to flight with but 300 horsemen. He was made governor of Paris, ambassador to Portugal and, in 1807, given command of the army for the invasion of that country. In a short time he had possession of all the strong places in the kingdom. For his brilliant success he was made Duc d’Abrantes and governor of Portugal. But he was soon defeated by Wellington (then Sir Arthur Wellesley) at Vimiera, and forced out of Portugal. He afterward served in Germany and Russia, and was made one of the scapegoats for the Russian disaster and sent to govern Illyria. This disgrace, together with former wounds in the head, brought on insanity. He died on July 29, 1813.