Consalvi

Consalvi, Ercole, Cardinal, was born at Rome in 1757. Under Pius VI. and Pius VII. he rose to the highest dignities in the papal court, and was a firm opponent of the French Revolution and the rise of the Empire. In 1801 he was employed to negotiate the famous Concordat, and when his master found it impossible to keep terms with Napoleon, he insisted on being allowed to resign. During the abdication of Pius VII. he joined him at Fontainebleau, and on his return to Rome in 1814 resumed his duties as secretary of state. He represented the Holy See at the Congress of Vienna, and obtained valuable concessions for his government. He died in 1824, and was buried in the church of San Marcello at Rome. His memoirs possess considerable interest.