Sancy, Achille Harley De

Sancy, Achille Harley De, A French diplomat and prelate, was born in 1581. In early life he gave himself to study, and, having taken orders, was in a short time made bishop of Lavaur. But in 1601 he gave up his ecclesiastical life and entered the army. After taking part in several campaigns, he was made ambassador to Turkey. Here his conduct was such as to bring upon him the displeasure of the Turkish government, and he was bastinadoed. This closed his diplomatic career, and, returning to France, he devoted himself and his fortune to the cardinal Richelieu. Subsequently he went to England and was in favor with queen Henrietta. He died Nov. 20, 1646. He was a man of great learning, is said to be the author of several unimportant works in his native language, and collected many Oriental manuscripts which are now in the Richelieu Library.