Eon

Eon de Beaumont, Charles (1728-1810), a French adventurer, sometimes known as the Chevalier d'Eon. Having attracted notice as a political writer he was sent on a secret mission by Louis XV. to St. Petersburg, where, disguised as a woman, he dbtained much influence over the Empress Elizabeth, and advanced the views of the French Court. The next year he returned to St. Petersburg in man's dress, and professed to be the brother of his former self. He did other diplomatic work, and after a period of service in the army he was appointed Minister to the British Court-Falling into disgrace at the French Court, and being superseded and outlawed, he resided in England, where people were much exercised as to his sex, and in an action arising out of a bet the Court of King's Bench ruled that he was a woman. For a time he went back to France on condition of wearing woman's attire. He died in London.