Junot, Andoche

Junot, Andoche äNdôshˈ zhünōˈ [key], 1771–1813, French general. Having served under Napoleon Bonaparte in Italy and Egypt, he became ambassador to Portugal (1804–5) and commanded the French invasion of that country in 1807, thus opening the Peninsular War. Appointed governor-general of Portugal, he was forced to evacuate after his defeat by Arthur Wellesley (later the duke of Wellington) in 1808. He also served in Spain, Germany, and Russia. Napoleon created him duke of Abrantès, under which name his wife, Laure Junot, duchesse d'Abrantès, is generally known. Near the end of his life he became insane, and he may have committed suicide.

See more Encyclopedia articles on: French History: Biographies