Murat, Henriette Julie de (1670–1716)

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Murat, Henriette Julie de (1670–1716)

French memoirist, short-story writer and novelist. Name variations: Henriette de Castelnau; Henriette-Julie de Castelnau, Comtesse de Murat. Born Henriette de Castelnau, 1670, in Brest, Brittany; died Sept 24, 1716; dau. of Marquis de Castelnau; m. Count de Murat, 1686.

Orphaned at early age, came to Paris at 16 on marriage to the Count of Murat (1686); wrote stories and fairytales as part of Countess d'Aulnoy's circle, including "Bearskin"; became involved in slander case when a tale she wrote was recognized as a slightly veiled account of King Louis XIV's mistress, and was exiled to Loches (1694–1715), during which time she wrote memoirs published as Mémoires de Madame la Comtesse de M (1697); allowed to return to Paris only after Louis died (1715), but died 1 year later.