Mac Mahon

MacMahon, Marie Edme Patrick Maurice de (1808-93), Duke of Magenta and Marshal of France, was educated at the military college of St. Cyr. He distinguished himself in Algeria, and became brigadier-general in 1848. During the Crimean War he was in command of a division, and assisted in storming the Malakoff. He took part in the Austrian campaign, and won the battle of Magenta, and then became Governor-General of defeated at Weissenburg and Worth. Then whilst trying to relieve Metz he was forced to capitulate at Sedan, where he was severely wounded. In 1873 he was elected President of the French Republic, but resigned in 1879 after the failure of the anti-Republican reactionaries, whose tool he was.