page_title: François Leclerc du Tremblay
hierarchical_section_title: François Leclerc du Tremblay
caption_attribution_description: Français&#160;: Portrait du père Joseph, en buste, de 3/4 dirigé à droite, priant devant un crucifix, dans une bordure ovale.
context_page_description: François Leclerc du Tremblay, also known as Père Joseph, was a French Capuchin friar, confidant and agent of Cardinal Richelieu. He was the original éminence grise—the French term for a powerful advisor or decision-maker who operates secretly or unofficially.
context_section_description: François Leclerc du Tremblay (4 November 1577 – 17 December 1638), also known as Père Joseph, was a French Capuchin friar, confidant and agent of Cardinal Richelieu. He was the original éminence grise—the French term ("grey eminence") for a powerful advisor or decision-maker who operates secretly or unofficially.
caption: Portrait engraving (Bibliothèque Nationale de France)
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