Charles Colbert, Marquis of Croissy

Like his elder brother Jean-Baptiste Colbert, he began his career in the office of the minister of war Le Tellier.

In 1668, he represented France at the conference of Aix-la-Chapelle; and in August of the same year was sent as ambassador to the Court of St. James in London, where he was to negotiate the definite Treaty of Dover with Charles II of England, (1630-1685).

He arranged the interview at Dover on the English Channel between King Charles and his sister Henrietta of Orléans, gained the King's personal favor by finding a mistress for him, Louise de Kéroualle, maid of honour to Madame, and persuaded him to declare the Third Anglo-Dutch War against the Dutch Republic.

[1] The negotiation of the Treaty of Nijmwegen (1676–1678) still further increased his reputation as a diplomat and King Louis XIV, (1638-1715), made him secretary of state for foreign affairs for France after the disgrace of Arnauld de Pomponne, brought about by his brother in 1679.

[1] In 1664, he married Françoise Béraud, daughter of a rich banker, who brought with her the territory of Croissy, which would be turned into a Marquisate in July 1676.