Julien de Lallande POYDRAS, Congress, OL (1740-1824)

POYDRAS, Julien de Lallande, a Delegate from the Territory of Orleans; born in Nantes, France, April 3, 1740; completed preparatory studies; served in the French Navy in his youth; was captured by the British in 1760 and taken to England; escaped on board a West Indian merchantman to San Domingo, whence he immigrated to New Orleans, La., in 1768; wrote the first poetical work printed in Louisiana in 1779; president of the first legislative council of the Territory of Orleans; founded the Female Orphan Asylum in New Orleans; elected to the Eleventh Congress (March 4, 1809-March 3, 1811); president of the first State constitutional convention; presidential elector for Madison in 1812; founded and endowed the Poydras Asylum; died in Pointe Coupee, La., June 14, 1824; interment in Old St. Francis Cemetery; reinterment in the grounds of the Poydras High School, New Roads, La.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present