Isoard, Joachim Jean Xavier D

Isoard, Joachim Jean Xavier D'

a French prelate, was born at Aix, in Provence, October 23, 1766. His family originated in Dauphine, and was a very ancient one. He lost his father when he was a child, and was placed into the seminary of Aix by his mother when the Bonapartes took refuge upon the continent, they found some support in the family of Isoard. About that time he departed for Italy, and connected himself, in 1794, with the count of Provence, at Verona. On his return to his native city in the same year he associated himself with a royalist band, and, it is said, was instrumental in saving the life of Lucien Bonaparte. When Pius VII was brought as a captive to France, Isoard followed him. Napoleon proposed to him some high employments, and even a place in the senate, but he refused. After the death of cardinal Fesel, in May 1839, Isoard was designated to replace him, June 14. He died at Paris, October 8 of the same year. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.