Montalembert, Charles, count de

Montalembert, Charles (-Forbes-René), count de

(born April 15, 1810, London, Eng.—died March 13, 1870, Paris, France) French politician and historian. He began his political career as a journalist for several Catholic journals, became a leader of the liberal Roman Catholics in the July monarchy, and was a member of the House of Peers (1835–48). A champion of civil and religious liberties, he opposed Napoleon III's policies after 1851. He wrote such historical works as The Catholic Interest in the 19th Century (1852), The Political Future of England (1856), and Monks of the West (1863–77).