Charles Joseph, comte Bresson

He gained the confidence of King Louis-Philippe of France by successfully arranging the marriages of three of his children: the Prince Royal, Princess Louise d'Orléans and the Duke of Montpensier.

The son of a chef de division in the ministry of foreign affairs, Bresson soon became destined for a diplomatic career.

During this era he also became the lover of the Belgian ambassador's wife, the comtesse Le Hon, allegedly fathering her son Léopold (born 1832).

During these negotiations France's interests were vigorously opposed to those of the July Monarchy's erstwhile ally the United Kingdom, and so count Bresson had to thwart sometimes disloyal manoeuvres by Sir Henry Bulwer, the British ambassador to Spain.

Bresson himself was recalled to France in 1847, spending a few weeks in London before being appointed ambassador to Naples, a post he had only just taken up when he cut his throat with a razor and died, probably due to domestic troubles.