Campan, Jeanne Louise Henriette (1752–1822)

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Campan, Jeanne Louise Henriette (1752–1822)

French educator and companion of Marie Antoinette. Born Jeanne Louise Henriette Genet or Genest in Paris, France, in 1752; died in 1822; daughter of M. Genet or Genest (first clerk in the foreign office); married M. Campan; children: one son.

Because of her father's position as first clerk in the French foreign office, even though he was not a wealthy man, Jeanne Louise Henriette Campan grew up in cultivated society. By age 15, she could speak English and Italian, in addition to her mother tongue, and had gained such a high reputation for her erudition that she was appointed reader to the aunts of Louis XVI: Adelaide (1732–1800), Victoire (1733–1799), Sophie (1734–1782), and Louise Marie (1737–1787). At court, Campan was a widespread favorite, and when she married M. Campan, son of the secretary of the royal cabinet, the king gave her an annuity of 5,000 livres as dowry. Soon after, she was appointed first lady of the bedchamber by Marie Antoinette , and she continued to be her faithful attendant until she was forcibly separated from Marie after the royal family attempted to escape Paris on June 20, 1792.

Though Madame Campan survived the Terror, her husband's failing health took most of her annuity. Determined to support herself, she established a girls' boarding school at St. Germain. The institution prospered and was patronized by Hortense de Beauharnais , whose influence led to the appointment of Jeanne Campan as superintendent of the academy founded by Napoleon at Écouen for the education of the daughters and sisters of Legion of Honor members. Napoleon was pleased with the place accorded to domestic economy in the education of the girls. At Écouen, the pupils underwent a complete training in all branches of housework.

Campan held this post until it was abolished at the restoration of the Bourbons. Retiring to Mantes, she spent the rest of her life there with close friends, but she was saddened by the loss of her only son and by the lies circulated about her because of her connection with the Bonapartes. She died in 1822, leaving the valuable Mémoires sur la vie privée de Marie Antoinette, suivis de souvenirs et anecdotes historiques sur les règnes de Louis XIV.-XV. (Paris, 1823); a treatise De l'Education des Femmes; and one or two small instructive works, noted for their clear, natural style.