Louis Lebègue Duportail

Louis Lebègue Duportail
Minister of War
In office
25 May 1791  7 December 1791
MonarchLouis XVI
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byLouis de Narbonne-Lara
Secretary of State for War
In office
16 November 1790  25 May 1791
MonarchLouis XVI
Preceded byJean-Frédéric de la Tour du Pin-Gouvernet
Succeeded byOffice abolished
Chief Engineer of the Continental Army
In office
22 July 1777  10 October 1783
Preceded byCol. Rufus Putnam
Succeeded byLieut. Col. Stephen Rochefontaine (as Commandant of the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers)
Personal details
Born(1743-05-14)14 May 1743
Pithiviers, France
Died12 August 1802(1802-08-12) (aged 59)
Occupation
  • Military engineer
  • politician
Military service
Allegiance Kingdom of France
 United States
BranchFrench Army
Continental Army
Years of service1765–1790
Rank Major-General
WarsAmerican Revolutionary War

Louis Antoine Jean Le Bègue de Presle Duportail (French: [lwi ləbɛɡ dəpʁɛl dypɔʁtaj]; 14 May 1743 12 August 1802) was a French military leader who served as a volunteer and the Chief Engineer of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He also served as the last Secretary of State for War and first Minister of War during the beginning of the French Revolution.