City Libraries, City of Gold Coast

Marie Antoinette's head, the royal hairdresser, the queen, and the revolution, Will Bashor

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 263-268) and index

individual biography

illustrationsportraitsplatesmaps

index present

non fiction

Marie Antoinette's head

bibliography

Will Bashor

the royal hairdresser, the queen, and the revolution

"Marie Antoinette's Head: The Royal Hairdresser, The Queen, and the Revolution charts the rise of Leonard Autie from humble origins as a country barber in the south of France to the inventor of the Pouf and premier hairdresser to Queen Marie-Antoinette. By unearthing a variety of sources from the 18th and 19th centuries, including memoirs (including Leonard's own), court documents, and archived periodicals the author, French History professor and expert Will Bashor, tells Autie's mostly unknown story. Bashor chronicles Leonard's story, the role he played in the life of his most famous client, and the chaotic and history-making world in which he rose to prominence. Besides his proximity to the queen, Leonard also had a most fascinating life filled with sex (he was the only man in a female dominated court), seduction, intrigue, espionage, theft, exile, treason, and possibly, execution. The French press reported that Leonard was convicted of treason and executed in Paris in 1793. However, it was also recorded that Leonard, after receiving a pension from the new King Louis XVIII, died in Paris in March 1820. Granted, Leonard was known as the magician of Marie-Antoinette's court, but how was it possible that he managed to die twice?" -- Publisher's website

adult