AUBUSSON

aubusson, a town of france, capital of an arrondissement in the department of creuse, picturesquely situated on the river creuse 24 m. s.e. of gueret by rail. pop. (1906) 6475. it has celebrated manufactories of carpets, &c., employing about 2000 workmen, the artistic standard of which is maintained by a national school of decorative arts, founded in 1869. nothing certain is known as to the foundation of this industry, but it was in full activity at least as far back as 1531. from the 10th to the 13th century aubusson was the centre of a viscounty, and the viscountess marguerite, wife of rainaud vi., was sung by many a troubadour. after the death of the viscount guy ii. (a little later than 1262) aubusson was incorporated in the countship of la marche by hugh xii. of lusignan, and shared in its fortunes. louis xiv. revived the title of viscount of aubusson in favour of francois, first marshall de la feuillade (1686). from the family of the old viscounts was descended pierre d'aubusson (q.v.). admiral sallandrouze de lamornaix (1840-1902) belonged to a family of tapestry manufacturers established at aubusson since the beginning of the 19th century. aubusson was also the native place of the novelists leonard sylvain, julien sandeau and alfred assollant (1827-1886). see le pere anselme, _hist. genealogique de la maison de france_, vol. v. pp. 318 et seq.; p. mignaton, _hist. de la maison d'aubusson_ (paris, 1886); cyprien perathon, _hist. d'aubusson_ (limoges, 1886). (a. t.)