Charles Gravier de Vergennes and his ambassadorship to İstanbul (1755-1768)

Charles Gravier de Vergennes is one of the most significant French diplomats of the XVIIIth century. He started his diplomatic life under the auspices of his uncle Chavigny, in the French representations in Lisbon and Frankfurt. Vergennes, who was appointed as an ambassador on behalf of France in the electorates of Koblenz and Hanover, served as the ambassador of France in İstanbul between 1755 and 1768. The diplomatic activities he conducted during his service in İstanbul and the relations he established are the main subject of this study. Covering a period of thirteen years during the reigns of Osman III and Mustafa III, this service constitutes an important part of Vergennes' career. The aim of this study is to reveal the conditions under which 18th century Ottoman-French diplomacy was carried out and the change it went through in this process by focusing on Vergennes's life and career. In this direction, the story of Vergennes is not only the story of one person, but also of Ottoman-French diplomacy of his time. The study was prepared by using the diplomatic correspondence of Vergennes, Ottoman documents of the period and related literature.