The French Prefectorial Corps 1814–1830

Dr Richardson has analysed the history of the Prefectoral Corps during the sixteen years of the Restoration.

Nicholas Richardson (Author)

9780521089050, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 30 October 2008

272 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.6 cm, 0.35 kg

The French Prefectoral Corps was Napoleon's creation. Building on the framework of local government inherited from the Revolution, he installed a rigidly centralized administrative system, running from the Sub-Prefect in the arrondissement, through the Prefect in the department, to the Minister in Paris. The return of the Bourbons threatened this organization. There was the upheaval of the years 1814–15, and as the mechanics of parliamentary government evolved in the years after the Second Restoration, the Corps acquired a political importance which necessarily affected the prefectoral career. There was also a change in rectruitment. To staff this indispensable organ of government the Bourbons called on men of their own choice and service, in particular members of the pre-revolutionary nobility. Dr Richardson has analysed the history of the Prefectoral Corps during the sixteen years of the Restoration.

Part 1. The Prefects: 1. Prefects, sub-prefects and secretaries-general
2. The choice of prefects
3. The prefects in an age of crisis 1814–15
4. The prefects 1815–30
Part II. The Subordinate Personnel: 5. Local recruitment and difficulties
6. The choice of subordinate personnel
7. The movement of subordinate personnel 1814–16
8. The subordinate personnel 1816–30
Part III. The Prefectoral Career: 9. Introductory: politics and administration
10. The prefects: promotion and the makeshift of hierarchy
11. The prefects: the outline of the career
12. The prefects: salaries, allowances, incomes
13. The subordinate personnel
14. The subordinate personnel: salaries, allowances, incomes
Part IV: 15. The nobility and the prefectoral corps.

Subject Areas: History [HB]