Diplomat. Dragoon Captain. Spy. Minister Plenipotentiary. Celebrity. Writer. Intellectual.

There aren’t enough words to describe the magnifique Chevalière d’Eon, and the many hats of varying feathers and responsibilities, that held the privilege to be worn by them.

But the historic misrepresentation and misunderstanding of transgender folks and gender, continue to restrict d’Eon’s multitudes through ‘debates’ about their gender identity through the same old and mundane tired tropes.

This is an attempt to remember their life without painting their fluidity and transcendence as a controversy.

D’Eon was born in 1728 to an aristocratic family in Burgundy and joined the civil services after completing their education in Paris, and progressed to become secretary for France’s ambassador to Russia – a cover for their work with Louis XV’s network of spies and diplomatic agents known as le Secret du Roi, or “King’s Secret”.

The Secret aimed to turn Poland into a French satellite by instating the King’s cousin, Prince de Conti. on the throne, and d’Eon was responsible for getting Empress Elizabeth’s support.

In light of France entering the Seven Years War and the country’s massive debts and thirst for revenge, The Secret changed course by planning to invade Britain.

Through these developments, d’Eon served as Dragoon in the French Army; admitted to the “prestigious royal and military Order of Saint Louis”; and the Minister plenipotentiary.

With a new status of ‘interim’ ambassador to the British court in 1763, d’Eon was able to act undercover for finding a place for invasion while engaging with politicians.

Unfortunately, France had a tough time satisfying d’Eon’s palate for wine, and the minister plenipotentiary’s angry letters spurted out of conflicts of interest with the incoming ambassador got them fired within six months of being posted.

A tussle followed: France wanted d’Eon to be extradited, Britain granted them permission to stay, the French Foreign Ministry attempted to kidnap them several times, and in response, the minister plenipotentiary threatened to reveal The Secret’s secrets through a series of books.

Cont..