MacMahon

mak'ma-on' (1808-1893), a noted French soldier and statesman. He was born at Sully and died at Paris. His ancestry may be inferred from his name. He was the descendant of an Irish family that fled to France on the fall of the Stuarts. MacMahon's father rose to be a peer of France. MacMahon served in the Algerian War, and took part also in the siege of Sebastopol. He led the French division which stormed the Malakoff in 1855. During the war with Austria in 1859 he was made Duke of Magenta in recognition of gallant service on the battlefield of that name. During the Franco-Prussian War he shared the disasters which overtook the French forces. He was defeated by the Germans at Worth and surrendered a large army at Sedan. The Germans held him prisoner for a time. In 1871 he was placed in command of the French troops in Paris and suppressed the Communistic uprising. From 1873 to 1879 he was president of the French Republic. His reputation is that of a man of bravery, integrity, and patriotism.