Richelieu Richelieu was a French cardinal and statesman, who more than anyone else promoted absolutism in France and laid the foundations of the country\'s 17th-century grandness. He was born in Paris on September 9, 1585, and set out on a military career. In order to retain the bishopric of Luçon in the family, however, Richelieu switched to theology and at age 22 was ordained a bishop. As a representative to the Estates-General in 1614, he found a …showed first 75 words of 426 total…

…showed last 75 words of 426 total…were guaranteed religious freedom. Richelieu, by vigorous and effective measures, succeeded in breaking the political power of the great families of France-making the king an absolute ruler-and in establishing France as the first military power of Europe. He encouraged French exploration and colonization in Canada, where there is a river named for him, and the Indies. A liberal patron of literature, Richelieu was the founder of the French Academy. He died in Paris on December 4, 1642.