François V de La Rochefoucauld

François de La Rochefoucauld, 1st Duke of La Rochefoucauld (7 September 1588 – 8 February 1650) was a French nobleman. He was the father of François de La Rochefoucauld author of Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales better known as the Maximes.

Early life La Rochefoucauld was born on 7 September 1588 at his family's Château de La Rochefoucauld, in La Rochefoucauld, in the Angoumois, France. He was the son of François de La Rochefoucauld, Count of La Rochefoucauld, and Claude de Madaillan, Dame of Estissac.

Career After his father was killed at Saint-Yrieix by the Catholic League on 15 March 1591, he inherited the title Count of La Rochefoucauld which he remained until 22 April 1622, when King Louis XIII raised his county of La Rochefoucauld to a dukedom with the influence of his mother Queen Marie de' Medici having attended her coronation on 14 May 1610.

Personal life By contract dated 1 March 1611, he married Gabrielle du Plessis, a daughter of Charles du Plessis and Antoinette de Pons, Marquise of Guercheville, and lady-in-waiting to Marie de' Medici. Together, they had twelve children, including:

Titles 15 March 1591 – 22 April 1622 The Count of La Rochefoucauld. 22 April 1622 – 8 February 1650 The Duke of La Rochefoucauld, Peer of France.