Memoirs of the Court of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France is a book written by Madame Campan, a former lady-in-waiting to Marie Antoinette. The book was almost three decades after the French Revolution and provides an account of life at the court of Versailles during the reign of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. The memoirs cover the period from 1774, when Marie Antoinette arrived in France to marry Louis XVI, to the fall of the monarchy in 1792. The book is divided into several chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of court life, such as the queen's daily routine, her relationships with other members of the court, and her involvement in political affairs. Memoirs of the Court of Marie Antoinette is an important historical document that provides a unique perspective on one of the most dramatic periods of French history.
Madame Campan was a French educator and writer who served as a lady-in-waiting to Marie Antoinette, Queen of France. She was born in 1752 in Paris and was the daughter of an army officer. Campan's mother recognized her daughter's potential and provided her with an excellent education, which included music, literature, and languages. In 1774, at the age of 22, Campan was appointed as a lady-in-waiting to Marie Antoinette. She served in this role for over a decade, and during this time, she gained a unique perspective on life at the French court. After the French Revolution, Campan left France and moved to England, where she established a successful school for girls. In addition to her work as an educator, Campan was also a prolific writer. Her most famous work is Memoirs of the Court of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, which provides a firsthand account of life at the French court during the late 18th century.