Charles-Augustin de Ferriol d'Argental

Charles-Augustin de Ferriol d'Argental (20 December 1700 – 5 January 1788),[1] was a French lawyer and diplomat, particularly remembered as a lifelong friend of Voltaire.

He and Pont-de-Veyle were brought up with Charlotte Aïssé, bought as a child by their uncle Charles de Ferriol d'Argental.

[7] From 1737, supported by his wife, he became Voltaire’s literary critical friend, as well as his theatre agent and even his stage director.

[6] As well as helping Voltaire in theatrical matters, d’Argental was his indispensable organiser in the campaigns against injustice in the 1760s - the Calas, de la Barre and Sirven Affairs.

[8] As was normal at the time for actors, Lecouvreur was denied a proper Christian burial when she died and her body was disposed of in unconsecrated ground.

In 1786, fifty-six years after her death, d'Argental managed to locate her burial place at what is new 115 rue de la Grenelle in Paris.