Royalty · Politics · 1754–1793
Born: 23 August 1754 · Died: 21 January 1793 · Age at death: 38
Louis XVI of France died aged 38. He was born on 23 August 1754 and died on 21 January 1793.
Last king of France before the Revolution, who was overthrown in 1792 and guillotined in 1793
Did you know?He was a keen amateur locksmith and spent much of his spare time tinkering with complex mechanical locks and clocks.
Louis XVI inherited a kingdom heading for crisis. He became king at 19 and was shy, well-meaning and indecisive. France's support for the American Revolution helped push the state close to bankruptcy. To raise money, he called the Estates-General in 1789, the first in 175 years. That meeting sparked the French Revolution. In 1791 the royal family tried to flee and was caught at Varennes, destroying trust in the king. He was tried for treason by the National Convention. He was guillotined in January 1793.
Louis XVI (Louis-Auguste; French:; 23 August 1754 – 21 January 1793) was the last king of France before the fall of the monarchy during the French Revolution.
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Profile
King of France, 1754–1793
Louis XVI was born at Versailles on 23 August 1754.
He married Marie Antoinette in 1770.
He became king in 1774.
He was executed on 21 January 1793.
Career highlights
Did you know?He took a keen interest in geography and helped plan the La Pérouse voyage of exploration.
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