MARC RENE

marc rene, marquis de voyer de paulmy d'argenson (1721-1782), known as the marquis de voyer, son of marc pierre de voyer, the minister of war, was born in paris on the 20th of september 1721. he served in the army of italy and the army of flanders in the war of the austrian succession, and was _mestre de camp_ (proprietary colonel) of the regiment of berry cavalry at the battle of fontenoy (may 10, 1745), where he was promoted brigadier. he was associated with his father in his work of reorganizing the army, was made inspector of cavalry and dragoons (1749), and succeeded his father as master of the horse (1752). he introduced english horses into france. he was lieutenant-general of upper alsace in 1753 and governor of vincennes in 1754, and served afterwards under soubise in the seven years' war. he was wounded at crefeld in 1758, and was promoted lieutenant-general (1759). he followed his father into exile at les ormes (1763), and in the last years of the reign of louis xv. sided with the malcontents headed by choiseul; but on the rupture with england he rejoined the service of the king (1775). he was appointed inspector of the sea-board, and put the roadstead of the island of aix in a state of defence during the american war of independence. he caught marsh-fever while attempting to drain the marshes of rochefort, and died at les ormes on the 18th of september 1782.