Biography

Ferdinand Charles de Lasteyrie du Saillant was born in Paris the son of Charles-Philibert Count of Lasterie-Dusaillant. Ferdinand served various political roles in France, including district deputy, municipal councilman, and general council. In 1848, he was elected as a representative of the Seine to the Constituent Assembly. A year later, he became a member of the Legislative Assembly. After his failed attempt to join the Legislative body after the 1851 National Coup d'Etat, of which he disapproved, Ferdinand devoted his time to historical and archaeological interests. He married Martha Washington Seabrook of Edisto Island, South Carolina. Frances "Fanny" Seward references a visit by the Marquis and his son to their Washington, DC home in her 1866 diary.