François Leclerc du Tremblay
François Leclerc du Tremblay | |
|---|---|
Portrait engraving (Bibliothèque Nationale de France) | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 November 1577 |
| Died | 17 December 1638 (aged 61) Rueil-Malmaison, France |
François Leclerc du Tremblay (4 November 1577 – 17 December 1638), also known as Père Joseph, was a French Capuchin friar, confidant and agent of Cardinal Richelieu. He was the original éminence grise—the French term ("grey eminence") for a powerful advisor or decision-maker who operates secretly or unofficially.