Pierre Jean Louis Ovide Doublet
Maltese politician
Died when: 74 years 163 days (893 months)Star Sign: Virgo
Pierre Jean Louis Ovide Doublet (25 August 1749 - 4 February 1824) was a French politician and writer who spent much of his life serving in the Knights of Malta.
Following his enlistment as a soldier, he entered the service of the French Secretariat of the Knights and was eventually promoted to the leadership of the Secretariat.
Doublet participated in the negotiations for the surrender of the Knights when Malta was captured by Napoleon in 1798.Grand Master Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim had failed to bolster Valletta's defenses against the French fleet and had peacefully admitted some French ships to the harbor, leading to the island's capture.
Doublet, being in the Grand Master's direct service, was accused as a collaborator with the French and became caught in the political maneuvering by other members to depose Hompesch.
Doublet stayed in Malta during the French occupation, serving as Secretary General to the Commission of Government installed by Napoleon and later becoming Commissioner of Malta.
He was exiled to France when the island became a British Dominion in 1800 and wrote a book about his experiences in Malta.
Doublet remained in exile for most of his life, though he was allowed to make a permanent return soon before his death.
