DUBOIS, GUILLAUME. - French cardinal and statesman, b. at Brives-la-Gaillarde on 6 Sept. 1656, d. at Versailles on 10 Aug. 1723. Having abandoned the ecclesiastical career to which he had been destined, he became tutor to Philippe d'Orléans, then Duke of Chartres.
When the latter was proclaimed Regent for the young Louis XV after the death of Louis XIV, Dubois entered the Council of State, where, despite his advancing years, he displayed untiring activity in the conduct of foreign affairs. His principal aim was to uphold the Peace of Utrecht (1713) against Philip V of Spain and his chief minister, Cardinal Alberoni, by forming an anti-Spanish alliance between France, England, and Holland. Thanks to his skill, the Triple Alliance became a reality in 1718 and, after Austria’s adhesion, was transformed into a Quadruple Alliance, which, after a brief struggle, forced Spain, by the Treaty of The Hague (1720), to abandon any further attempts. In Northern Europe, Dubois’s policy secured the peace of 1721 between Sweden, Denmark, and Russia.
In 1721 he was created cardinal by Innocent XIII, who could not resist the insistence of the French court. A year earlier he had received holy orders and had even managed, through clever intrigue, to be named Bishop of Cambrai. In 1722 he was invested with the highly coveted office of Prime Minister, which he held until his death.
Dubois was judged harshly by his contemporaries, who reproached him for his ambition and absolute lack of scruples.