Agénor Étienne, comte de Gasparin was a French statesman and author
Background
He was born at Orange, Vaucluse, the son of Adrien de Gasparin. In 1836 he entered the service of his father, then minister of the interior, as chief of a department, became master of requests in the Council of State in 1837, and in 1842 was elected to the Chamber of Deputies from Bastia in Corsica.
Career
He was thus voted out of office in 1846, and put all of his enthusiasm into his written work. When the revolution of 1848 took place, he was asked to declare himself in favor of the new constitution. He refused. His disapproval of the form later given to the government by Louis Napoleon was even stronger, and he permanently moved to Switzerland.
From 1849 until his death, he lived at Geneva.
In the winter, he delivered courses of lectures on economical, historical, and religious subjects, many of which were subsequently published. During the Franco-German War he addressed an appeal to the French people urging them not to persevere in lieutenant
His death was hastened by his exertions in the care of refugees from Bourbaki"s army, whom he received into his house.