About Léonard-Bernard Motard
Lived 1771 – 1852 (aged 80). Léonard-Bernard Motard was a French naval officer.
Léonard-Bernard Motard (; Honfleur, 27 July 1771 – Honfleur, 26 May 1852) was a French naval officer and eventually contre-amiral.
Motard enlisted in the French Navy in 1786. He was promoted to ensign in 1791, to lieutenant in 1793, and to capitaine de frégate in 1797. He then served in Brueys's general staff.
Motard helped organise the naval component of the Napoleonic Campaign in Egypt, and took part in the Battle of the Nile aboard the flagship Orient. He evacuated her before she exploded, but sustained severe injuries and was taken prisoner by the British.
After he was released, Motard served as staff officer to Ganteaume, taking part in operations in Saint Domingue.
Promoted to capitaine de vaisseau in 1803, he took command of the 32-gun Sémillante, in Linois' squadron. He took part in the Battle of Pulo Aura on 14 February 1804.
On 8 June 1806, Sémillante captured the East Indiamen Acteon, Warren Hastings, and Active. On 11 November, the encountered and ; an engagement developed on 13 November, from which the British retreated.
Between 15 March and 18 March 1808, Sémillante fought a running battle with HMS Terpsichore, and escaped to Île de France. Motard sustained life-threatening injuries and returned to France.
In December 1809, Motard was elevated to commander of the Legion of Honour. In November 1810, he was made a baron of Empire. From 4 January 1811, he headed the École spéciale de Marine in Toulon.
He retired with the rank of contre-amiral in 1814.
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Important facts
People in Léonard-Bernard Motard's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Léonard-Bernard Motard?
French admiral
When was Léonard-Bernard Motard born?
Léonard-Bernard Motard was born on 27 July 1771 in Honfleur.
When did Léonard-Bernard Motard die?
Léonard-Bernard Motard died on 25 May 1852 in Honfleur.
What was Léonard-Bernard Motard's occupation?
Léonard-Bernard Motard was a naval officer.
What nationality was Léonard-Bernard Motard?
Léonard-Bernard Motard was French.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Léonard-Bernard Motard
· DBpedia: Léonard-Bernard Motard
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Léonard-Bernard Motard. https://biography.guide/leonard-bernard-motard/
MLA: "Léonard-Bernard Motard." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/leonard-bernard-motard/.
Chicago: "Léonard-Bernard Motard." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/leonard-bernard-motard/.
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