DUBOIS, GUILLAUME. - French cardinal and statesman, b. at Brives-la-Gaillarde on 6 Sept. 1656, d. at Versailles on 10 Aug. 1723. Having interrupted the ecclesiastical career for which he had prepared, he became tutor to Filippo d'Orléans, then duke of Chartres.
When the latter, upon the death of Luigi XIV, was proclaimed regent for the young Luigi XV, D. joined the Council of State, where, though no longer young, he displayed tireless activity in handling foreign-policy affairs. His chief objective was to safeguard the Peace of Utrecht of 1713 against Filippo V of Spain and his prime minister, Card. Alberoni, by forming an anti-Spanish alliance among France, England, and Holland. Thanks to his skill, the Triple Alliance became a reality in 1718 and, shortly afterwards transformed into the Quadruple Alliance through Austria’s accession, overcame Spain after a brief struggle and compelled it, by the Treaty of The Hague of 1720, to desist from any further attempt. In northern Europe D.’s policy led in 1721 to peace between Sweden, Denmark, and Russia.
In 1721 he was made cardinal by Innocenzo XIII, who was unable to resist the insistence of the French court. A year earlier he had received Holy Orders and had even succeeded, through skilful intrigues, in being appointed bishop of Cambrai. In 1722 he was invested with the much-coveted office of prime minister, which he retained until his death.
D. was judged very harshly by his contemporaries, who censured his ambition and his utter lack of scruples.