General Jean-Andoche Junot

Nicknamed "the Tempest" for his unpredictable and courageous behavior, Junot first met Napoleon Bonaparte at the Siege of Toulon. As he was writing down orders, shots landed around them and kicked up dirt all over them. Despite the danger, Junot did not seem to notice, with the only indication that he was aware of the shots being his remark that he had no need of sand to dry the ink, as the dirt raining down on them was fulfilling that purpose. Captain Bonaparte was so impressed that he made Junot an aide, and Junot accompanied him to Paris and then on the Italian and Egyptian campaigns.

In 1800 Junot married Laure Permon, a woman eager to live in high society. Both he and his wife loved fine things and spending money, which caused them to continually be in debt despite Napoleon's generous payments given to Junot. Junot had numerous affairs, with the most notable one being Napoleon's sister Caroline, the wife of Marshal Murat.

Perhaps due to some head wounds sustained throughout his career, Junot became more unstable as time went on. One time in Paris, Junot became infuriated for losing while gambling, and so tore apart the room and caused a sensational scene. After that incident, Napoleon was so annoyed that he asked Junot if he had taken an oath to live and die as a fool. At other times Junot allegedly threatened to solve disputes with his creditors with his sword. At the Siege of Saragossa, when Junot learned that Marshal Lannes was to replace him as the commanding officer, he planned a suicidal assault in an attempt to win glory and credit for himself before Lannes could arrive. Fortunately, General Lacoste firmly convinced Junot that a rash assault would fail and that Junot would be personally at fault.

Eventually removed from duty, legend has it that Junot gave a ball and then still in uniform, leapt from a window to his death. Junot's widow continued her high lifestyle, and went on to publish questionable memoirs full of gossip under her title of the Duchess of Abrantès.

Sources:

Elting, John R. Swords Around a Throne: Napoleon's Grande Armee. USA: Da Capo Press, 1997.

Haythornthwaite, Philip J. Who Was Who in the Napoleonic Wars. London: Arms & Armour, 1998.

Lejeune, Louis. Memoirs of Baron Lejeune. Trans. N. D'Anvers. London, New York, and Bombay: Longmans, Green and Co, 1897.

Six, Georges. Dictionnaire Biographique des Generaux & Amiraux Francais de la Revolution et de l'Empire (1792-1814). Paris: Gaston Saffroy, 2003.

• Napoleon.org Biography
• Monuments to Junot