Actress. Françoise Raucourt was a favourite of Marie Antoinette and later Napoleon I who appointed her director of imperial theatres in Italy. During the Directory Raucourt was named director of the Théâtre Louvois. She was famous for her tragedy roles and played to full houses, though at times controversy about her private life eclipsed her career. She first appeared as part of the Comédie-Française playing the title role of Jean-Jacques Le Franc de Pompignan’s “Didon” in December of 1772. Because of the public acclaim for her performances she was given full membership in the company within three months. Her portrayals greatly impressed King Louis XVI and particularly Queen Marie-Antoinette, who would later become her benefactor. Other admirers included Madame Du Barry; tycoon Nicolas Beaujon, who organized a lottery to assist her financially; the Marquis de Bièvres; and Madame de Phalaris, a former mistress of the Regent and known as the lover of prominent women. Raucourt, with her then partner Sophie Arnould led the Sect of Anadrynes, a society of lesbians in Paris, on the Rue des Boucheries-Saint-Honoré. After her relationship with Sophie ended badly, she was for some time involved with Jeanne-Françoise Souque. Her partner from 1794 til her death was Henriette Simonnot de Ponty. On the day of her funeral service the rector of Saint-Roch church refused to admit her body. A riot erupted among the crowd of fifteen thousand people and the doors were forced to carry Françoise in for her requiem mass, accompanied by an order from the king directing the priest to perform it. (bio by: Women in Technology-19th Century)  Family links:  Spouse:  Marie Henriette Simonnot-Ponty* *Calculated relationship