Chevalier d’Eon

On 20th March 1779, a handsome woman was arrested by order of the King Louis XVI for dressing up in a dragoon military outfit! She had previously been warned she couldn’t do that anymore since she had chosen to live as woman…

That lady was in fact Charles d’Eon de Beaumont, aka the “Chevalier d’Eon”. This man is truly a unique character in the history of France! Sadly, he is mostly known for his cross-dressing habit at a time when it was far for being socially acceptable.

Truth be told, he was a highly cultivated writer who spoke five European languages as well as Greek, Hebrew, and even Aramaic! He was an incomparable sword fighter! He was an accomplished diplomat and even served as a spy for King Louis XV.