Ambiguous Names on the Arc de Triomphe

There are 660 names of officers on the Arc de Triomphe. Names underlined indicate an individual who was killed or mortally wounded in battle. To see the complete list of names on the Arc de Triomphe, simply go to the Biographies or Exhibit page and use the appropriate checkboxes.

Napoleon had always intended for important battles and generals to be inscribed on the Arc de Triomphe. In the 1830s the Ministry of War tasked Baron General St. Cyr Nugues to determine the names to be honored and their layout on the monument. In 1836 St. Cyr Nugues submitted 384 names of notable commanders and in explaining the layout he wrote, "...groups are formed chronologically, geographically, and until a certain point hierarchical, as far as these three things could be reconciled." The list of names was reviewed and increased in size until 1895 when the last name was added, bringing the total to 660. For more information about the process of selecting names, see the History of the Arc de Triomphe.

Unfortunately, some names inscribed on the Arc de Triomphe are ambiguous due to notable individuals sharing the same last name. While most names are clearly honoring a particular officer, a few remain which are unclear. Through my research I have been unable to dig up any sources that can definitively resolve these ambiguities, though a few sources come close. Update: In 2017 Arnauld Divry's extensively detailed book Les Noms Gravés sur l'Arc de Triomphe was published and it can be considered the definitive work. In short, I agree with all of Arnauld Divry's findings on ambiguous names except Viala, but I will keep my own research notes here for those interested.

To resolve the ambiguities in names, I have used the following sources:

  • Georges Six's Dictionnaire Biographique des Généraux & Amiraux Français de la Révolution et de l'Empire (1792-1814). While a monumental work, it sometimes mentions two individuals where the Arc de Triomphe only has one name inscribed, and some names do not match the underlines indicating killed by battle.
  • Léon Hennet's article in Carnet de La Sabretache: Revue Militaire Rétrospective. Vol 3. Very accurate but has a few mistakes in it.
  • Georges Rivollet's L'Arc de Triomphe et les Oubliés de la Gloire. The bibliography contains Carnet de la Sabretache and Georges Six's work, and this book repeats some of the exact same errors.
  • Danielle Quintin's Dictionnaire des Colonels de Napoléon. Does not have any known errors but only has the colonels, no generals.
  • Arnauld Divry's Les Noms Gravés sur l'Arc de Triomphe. Uses a large set of sources including extensive research at the French historical archives.

The following is a list of each of the ambiguous names where the individual honored on the Arc de Triomphe is not agreed upon by historians. This list does not include shared last names on the Arc de Triomphe that historians appear to be in unanimous agreement about, such as Bertrand or Lanusse. I have noted the resolution I decided upon and why, based on the sources available to me.

  • Aboville
    • Augustin Gabriel Aboville - Selected by Georges Six and Georges Rivollet.
    • François Marie Aboville - Selected by Léon Hennet and Arnauld Divry.
    • Resolution: The name is listed in column 04 which is mostly filled with générals de division of the Revolution, a number of whom served at the Battle of Valmy. Of the two Abovilles, the father François Marie Aboville was a general of the early Revolution and he served at Valmy.
  • Avranges
    • François d'Avranges d'Haugeranville - Selected by Georges Six.
    • François Charles Jean Pierre Marie d'Avranges Haugeranville - Selected by Léon Hennet, Georges Rivollet, and Arnauld Divry.
    • Resolution: The father François Haugeranville barely participated during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic years while the son François Charles Jean Pierre Marie d'Avranges Haugeranville had an active career from 1796-1814, therefore it is the son. Furthermore, most of the names in column 09 are générals de brigade and are in order of their promotions to that rank, again indicating the son.
  • Beaumont
    • Louis Chrétien Carrière de Beaumont - Selected by Georges Six.
    • Marc Antoine Bonin de La Boninière Beaumont - Selected by Georges Six, Léon Hennet, Georges Rivollet, and Arnauld Divry.
    • Resolution: Both had notable careers and since Georges Six mistakenly listed two Beaumonts on the Arc de Triomphe, Marc Antoine Bonin de La Boninière Beaumont is more likely since all the other sources select him. Also it doesn't hurt to be Marshal Davout's brother-in-law.
  • Beurmann
    • Jean Ernest Beurmann - Selected by Georges Six, Léon Hennet, Georges Rivollet, and Arnauld Divry.
    • Frédéric Auguste Beurmann - Selected by Arnauld Divry.
    • Resolution: Arnauld Divry makes the compelling case that the entry for Beurmann, spelled BEURMANN J=F. corresponds to both brothers, Jean Ernest Beurmann and Frédéric Auguste Beurmann. The brothers had similar advances in their ranks and would have possibly been right next to each other on the monument. Arnauld Divry has also found other sources confirming that the entry honors both brothers.
  • Boyer
    • Jean Baptiste Nicolas Henry Boyer - Selected by Léon Hennet, Georges Rivollet, and Arnauld Divry. Killed in Germany in 1813.
    • Joseph Boyer de Rébéval - Selected by Georges Six. Died in 1822.
    • Resolution: The name Boyer, J. is underlined on the Arc de Triomphe indicating Jean Baptiste Nicolas Henry Boyer.
  • Brun
    • Jean Antoine Brun - Selected by Georges Six, Léon Hennet, Georges Rivollet, and Arnauld Divry. Died in 1826.
    • Jacques François Brun - Selected by Georges Six and Georges Rivollet. Killed in Italy in 1805.
    • Resolution: There is only one Brun on the Arc de Triomphe and the name is not underlined, indicating Jean Antoine Brun.
  • Debelle
    • Jean François Joseph Debelle - Selected by Georges Six, Léon Hennet, Georges Rivollet, and Arnauld Divry.
    • César Alexandre Debelle - Selected by Georges Six.
    • Resolution: They were brothers and both had notable careers. Since Georges Six mistakenly listed two Debelles on the Arc de Triomphe, Jean François Joseph Debelle is more likely since all the other sources select him. Also, Jean François Joseph Debelle fits better with the other names in column 07, mostly officers promoted to général de division in the 1790s. His brother César Alexandre was promoted to général de brigade in 1805 and he never rose past that rank.
  • Dejean
    • Jean Antoine Dejean - Selected by Georges Six.
    • Pierre François Marie Auguste Dejean - Selected by Léon Hennet, Georges Rivollet, and Arnauld Divry.
    • Resolution: Pierre François Marie Auguste Dejean had a much more notable career. Also, the names in the upper half of column 30 are all générals de division whereas Jean Antoine Dejean only achieved the rank of général de brigade.
  • Delort
    • Jacques Antoine Adrien Delort - Selected by Georges Six and Arnauld Divry. Died in 1846.
    • Jean François Delort de Gléon - Selected by Léon Hennet and Georges Rivollet. Killed in Russia in 1812.
    • Resolution: The name is not underlined on the Arc de Triomphe, indicating Jacques Antoine Adrien Delort. Furthermore, he had a more notable career and rose to the rank of général de division, fitting in well with the other names in column 36. In contrast, Jean François Delort de Gléon only rose to the rank of général to brigade.
  • Denoyer
    • Paul Denoyer - Selected by Léon Hennet and Arnauld Divry. Killed in Egypt in 1799.
    • François Antoine Desnoyers - Selected by Georges Six and Georges Rivollet. Died in France in 1816.
    • Resolution: The name is underlined on the Arc de Triomphe indicating Paul Denoyer. Furthermore, Paul Denoyer was killed in Egypt and alongside his name in column 28 are three other officers killed in Egypt. In contrast, Desnoyers did not distinguish himself militarily and was imprisoned during most of the empire for his royalist actions. He was also implicated in the Malet conspiracy, making him highly unlikely to be honored on the monument.
  • Dufour
    • Georges Joseph Dufour - Selected by Georges Six, Léon Hennet, Georges Rivollet, and Arnauld Divry.
    • François Marie Dufour - Selected by Georges Six and Georges Rivollet.
    • Resolution: There is only one Dufour on the Arc de Triomphe. Georges Six and Georges Rivollet mistakenly list two Dufours, but all sources agree on Georges Joseph Dufour. Furthermore, Georges Joseph Dufour fits better alongside the names of column 05 in that they are mostly officers promoted to général de division during the Revolution. In contrast, François Marie Dufour was promoted to général de division in 1813.
  • Ferrand
    • Jacques Ferrand - Selected by Georges Six, Georges Rivollet, and Arnauld Divry.
    • Jean Henri Becays Ferrand - Selected by Léon Hennet.
    • Resolution: There is only one Ferrand on the Arc de Triomphe. Majority rules and Jacques Ferrand had a much more notable career, at one time commanding the Army of Ardennes and another time the Army of the North.
  • Gouvion
    • Louis Jean Baptiste Gouvion - Selected by Georges Six. Died in 1823.
    • Jean Baptiste Gouvion - Selected by Léon Hennet, Georges Rivollet, and Arnauld Divry. Killed in France in 1792.
    • Resolution: The name is underlined on the Arc de Triomphe, indicating Jean Baptiste Gouvion.
  • Henry
    • Claude François Henry - Selected by Danielle Quintin, Léon Hennet, Georges Rivollet, and Arnauld Divry. Killed in Spain in 1812.
    • Jean-Pierre Henry - Selected by Georges Six. Died in 1835.
    • Vitold Wolodkowicz (dit Jean Henry) - Selected by Georges Six. Died in 1836.
    • Resolution: There is only one Henry on the Arc de Triomphe and the name is underlined, indicating Claude François Henry. Also, Léon Hennet found a letter from the widow of Wolodkowicz requesting his name be on the Arc de Triomphe and dated after the name had been inscribed.
  • Lacuée
    • Jean Gérard Lacuée - Selected by Georges Six. Died in 1841.
    • Gérard Lacuée - Selected by Danielle Quintin, Léon Hennet, Georges Rivollet, and Arnauld Divry. Killed on campaign in 1805.
    • Marc Antoine Côme Damien Jean Chrisostome Lacuée - The brother of Gérard Lacuée who was killed at Eylau in 1807.
    • Resolution: The name is underlined on the Arc de Triomphe, indicating Gérard Lacuée or Marc Antoine Lacuée. Gérard Lacuée is more likely as he was distinguished as an aide-de-camp to Napoleon and his name fits better with the two colonels killed in 1805 in column 18. In contrast, there are no colonels killed in 1807 in the column, indicating Marc Antoine Lacuée is less likely.
  • Laroche
    • Antoine Laroche-Dubouscat - Selected by Georges Six, Georges Rivollet, and Arnauld Divry.
    • Jean Baptiste Grégoire Delaroche - Selected by Léon Hennet.
    • Resolution: Arnauld Divry tracked down a letter from Jean Baptiste Grégoire Delaroche to the Minister of War asking for his name to be added to the Arc de Triomphe and dated after the name Laroche had been inscribed. Therefore it is Antoine Laroche-Dubouscat.
  • Laubadère
    • Germain Félix Tennet de Laubadère - Selected by Georges Six, Georges Rivollet, and Arnauld Divry.
    • Joseph Marie Tennet de Laubadère - Selected by Léon Hennet.
    • Resolution: Of the two brothers, Germain Félix Tennet de Laubadère had a slightly more notable career, serving longer during the Revolution and in multiple positions. In contrast, Joseph Marie Tennet de Laubadère defended Landau during a siege but then had his career cut short. Further supporting Germain-Félix Tennet de Laubadère, the name Laubadère is inscribed next to that of General Delaage. Delaage distinguished himself at the Battle of Arlon in 1793 and Germain-Félix Tennet de Laubadère was serving directly under Delaage as a general at that battle. Also most sources agree on Germain Félix Tennet de Laubadère.
  • Marigny
    • Jean Fortuné Bouïn de Marigny - Selected by Georges Six. Killed in France in 1793.
    • Joseph Bernard Marigny - Selected by Danielle Quintin, Léon Hennet, Georges Rivollet, and Arnauld Divry. Killed at Jena in 1806.
    • Resolution: Danielle Quintin has consistently been correct, and almost all the sources agree that it is Joseph Bernard Marigny.
  • Petit
    • Claude Petit - Selected by Georges Six and Georges Rivollet. Killed in 1809 in Austria.
    • Jean Martin Petit - Selected by Léon Hennet, Georges Rivollet, and Arnauld Divry. Died in 1856.
    • Resolution: There is only one Petit on the Arc de Triomphe and the name is not underlined, indicating Jean Martin Petit. Jean Martin Petit was also on the commission to add names to the Arc de Triomphe, and every member of the commission had his name added to the monument.
  • Roussel
    • François Xavier Roussel - Selected by Georges Six, Léon Hennet, and Georges Rivollet. Killed in Prussia in 1807.
    • Jean Claude Roussel - Selected by Georges Six and Arnauld Divry. Killed in Russia in 1812.
    • Resolution: Both officers were killed in the line of duty, so the underline of the name cannot distinguish them. However, the lower half of column 20 is filled with générals de brigade who were killed. Since François-Xavier Roussel was a général de division when he was killed, it is the général de brigade Jean Claude Roussel that fits alongside the other names.
  • Sorbier
    • Jean Barthélemot Sorbier - Selected by Georges Six, Léon Hennet, Georges Rivollet, and Arnauld Divry. Died in 1827.
    • Jean Joseph Augustin Sorbier - Selected by Georges Six. Killed in Italy in 1809.
    • Resolution: There is only one Sorbier on the Arc de Triomphe and it is not underlined, indicating Jean Barthélemot Sorbier.
  • Sparre
    • Louis Ernest Joseph Sparre - Selected by Georges Six and Georges Rivollet.
    • Alexandre Séraphin Joseph Sparre - Selected by Léon Hennet and Arnauld Divry.
    • Resolution: Sparre is in column 05 which is mostly made up of générals de division of the Revolution, implying Alexandre Séraphin Joseph Sparre since Louis-Ernest-Joseph Sparre was not promoted that high until 1814. Furthermore, the name Sparre is next to Harville, and Alexandre Séraphin Joseph Sparre and d'Harville were important commanders during the campaign of 1792 to turn back to the Prussians at Valmy. Looking at other nearby names, to their left in column 04 are names of other generals important to that campaign, such as Le Veneur, Duval, Carnot, and d'Aboville. Arnauld Divry tracked down that St. Cyr Nugues had originally had the names La Bourdonnaye, Lamarlière, La Martinière, La Barolière, and Lamorlière in columns 04 and 05. The commission that was formed later replaced those five names and instead chose to list Chazot, Duval, Lanoue, d'Harville, and Sparre. This shows that both St. Cyr Nugues and the commission were specifically thinking about the names of important generals in the early years of the Revolution for these columns.
  • Vial
    • Honoré Vial - Selected by Georges Six, Georges Rivollet, and Arnauld Divry. Killed at Leipzig in 1813.
    • Jacques Laurent Louis Augustin Vial - Selected by Léon Hennet. Died in 1855.
    • Resolution: The name on the Arc de Triomphe is not underlined, implying Jacques Laurent Louis Augustin Vial. However, an article in Carnet de La Sabretache: Revue Militaire Rétrospective. Vol 4 from a relative of the Vials says it is Honoré Vial and explains the manner of Honoré Vial's death at Leipzig. During the battle a ball passed directly in front of his face and he suddenly died but had no visible wounds. Dr. Larrey thought Vial might have died of asphyxiation, but my own analysis indicates apoplexy, either of which could account for why his name is not underlined on the Arc de Triomphe. Regardless, Honoré Vial had the more notable career and his relative is presumed to know.
  • Viala
    • Sébastien Viala - Selected by Georges Six, Léon Hennet, and Georges Rivollet. Died in 1849.
    • Joseph Agricol Viala - Selected by Arnauld Divry. Killed in France in 1793.
    • Resolution: The name on the Arc de Triomphe is underlined, implying Joseph Agricol Viala. However, he was just a child killed in a skirmish during the Revolution whereas all of the other names on the Arc de Triomphe are military officers, staff, or doctors. Léon Hennet indicates that the name Viala is most likely underlined as a mistake since the 5th Bulletin of the Grande Armée incorrectly reports Sébastien Viala as killed at Auerstädt. In fact, he was thought killed during the battle and only found afterwards, still alive but badly wounded. Numerous sources from around the time continue with the mistake that he was killed. If interpreted as Sébastien Viala was killed at Auerstädt when he was a colonel, then his name fits well on the Arc de Triomphe in column 18 alongside other colonels killed leading their regiment in battle. Almost all sources select Sébastien Viala, though Arnauld Divry makes a compelling argument for Joseph Argricol Viala .


Bibliography

Updated May 2024

© Nathan D. Jensen