Memoirs of the Duchesse de Dino (Afterwards Duchesse de Talleyrand et de Sagan), 1836-1840

"Memoirs of the Duchesse de Dino" is a historical account edited by the Princesse Radziwill, written during the mid-19th century. This work offers a candid glimpse into the life of the Duchesse de Dino, who later became the Duchesse de Talleyrand, as she navigates the intricacies of Parisian society and politics during the years 1836-1840. The memoirs are rich in personal anecdotes and reflections, detailing her interactions with prominent figures of the time, including her famous husband, Charles Maurice de Talleyrand. The opening of the memoirs sets the stage for a detailed examination of the political landscape in France during the early 1830s, beginning with an insightful commentary on a ministerial crisis in Paris. As the Duchesse recounts various gatherings and events, she humorously notes the eccentricities of her peers and the tensions within the government. The narrative continues to unfold through her observations of political maneuvers, societal discussions, and intimate reflections on her personal life, showcasing her intellect and the social dynamics of an era rife with change. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Dorothea von Biron, Princess of Courland, Duchess of Dino, Duchess of Talleyrand and Duchess of Sagan, known as Dorothée de Courlande or Dorothée de Dino, was a Baltic German noblewoman, and the ruling Duchess of Sagan between 1845 and 1862. Her mother was Dorothea von Medem, Duchess of Courland, and although her mother's husband, Duke Peter von Biron, acknowledged her as his own, her true father may have been the Polish statesman Count Aleksander Batowski. For a long time, she accompanied the French statesman Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord; she was the separated wife of his nephew, Edmond de Talleyrand-Périgord.