Marie Antoinette Biography

Author’s Preface:

“Few women have excited greater interest than the unfortunate daughter of the Imperial house of Austria, who, when only a child of fifteen, was taken from her native land to occupy such an important post in the corrupt court of France. Her life has therefore been already frequently described in various ways, and under many aspects.”

“Although it is apparently a subject which is soon exhausted, Marie Antoinette ever remains of fascinating interest; she is one of those historical women who again and again attract our attention. Her life falls into two sharply defined portions: twenty years of triumph, which cost her five years of martyrdom. In the first we see her thoughtless and careless—in the last we find her in adversity and distress, when Providence is teaching her cruel lessons as a punishment for her former frivolity. If she is far from blameless in her youth, she develops on the other hand, in the days of her misfortune, a greatness of soul becoming in her as a queen, and as the child of Maria Theresa.”

“I do not in any way presume to offer my work as a portion of the history of France; I touch on political events only when it is necessary in order to explain the course of my narrative. I have wished to depict in broad outlines a portion of a human life full of vicissitudes, smiles, and tears. The scattered accounts which I have endeavoured to collect into one picture will, I hope, cast, if not a perfectly new, yet a richer light on the queen about whom there are still so many conflicting opinions. All biography is full of instruction, and I believe that my readers will find subject for reflection in my description of her life.” –Clara Tschudi

Why was Marie Antoinette beheaded?

What are the facts about Marie Antoinette?

Read the entire fascinating story of Marie Antoinette here…

Thumbnail image courtesy of Stmarygypsy. Thank you.