The Man Who Would Be King: The Life Of Philippe d'Orleans, Regent Of France

Many consider Philippe to be France's equivalent to Richard III: a royal regent who would be accused of debauchery, treason, incest, and murder. Philippe threw Voltaire in prison and coveted the throne for himself. Once an accomplished soldier and artist, Philippe was a middle-aged philanderer and slave to pleasure in 1715, when his uncle died and Philippe's five-year-old cousin became King Louis XV. While much of his reputation may be valid, Philippe d'Orleans was a mass of contradictions who tried valiantly to improve conditions in a country long plagued by death and disaster.