Joseph Etienne Richard

Joseph-Étienne Richard (known as 'Richard de la Sarthe') (28 September 1761 La Flèche - 17 August 1834 Saintes), was a French politician.

Under the Republic Before the French Revolution he was admitted to the bar in 1788 and in 1790 was elected 'procureur syndic' of the commune of La Flèche, later becoming its public prosecutor. Napoleon I awarded him the Legion of Honour on 25 prairial Year XII (14 June 1804), then granted him the titles first of chevalier de l'Empire on 18 June 1809, and then baron de l'Empire on 9 March 1810.

Under the Bourbon Restoration he was dismissed but soon recalled and appointed préfet of Calvados in 1815. He resigned again in 1816 when the law of 12 January 1816 proscribing regicides was passed, but he retired quietly to Saintes and no action was taken against him. As well as being exempted from the provisions of this law, the government granted him a pension of 6.000 francs.