This biographic was written by our newest writer Radu Alexander. We hope you enjoy it!

I cannot fall asleep without watching and listening to Biographics. Its like an addiction. Such a great channel.

"Prodigious with the foil." Why does that sound obscenely cool?

Simon Whistler is easily the hardest working person on KZfaq narrating 5 channels or however many he is doing at this point. He has been my favorite KZfaqr since I started listening to the site 3 years ago or so.

Brilliant subject matter. Love how you are delving into overlooked folks across disciplines, perspectives, etc.

Can you do one on the Marquis de Lafayette? His life is almost tragic. He purposely insulted the Kings brother bc he didn’t wanna be a courtier. When war broke out and the king told him he couldn’t go he bought a boat and snuck out dressed as a woman to get away. When he arrived he impressed Washington c he said he came to learn (most other European officers came saying they would teach them) . He also was one of the richest men in France so he would work without pay . He also ended up clothing, feeding, and arming the soldiers with his own money. Before battle he slept with Washington and Greene on their capes on the ground with the other soldiers. He also spent the winter at Valley Forge when he could have had luxury accommodations. It was his insistence that got Louis XVI to openly support the Americans . Lafayette had crazy plans to raid fishing villages on Britain’s coast and send the money to help the Americans. One of Louis advisers said “Lafayette would take everything not nailed down at Versailles to sell and help the Americans “ He crucially held Cornwallis at Yorktown til Washington and Rochambeau got there. Sadly when he returned to France it proved that his zeal and naivety ended up costing him a lot. He never wavered from what he was about however, it got out of hand fast and he made promises he couldn’t keep. He promised to keep the king and queen safe til the king tried to flee and was caught. Then Robespierre said he was involved And he put a “warrant “out for his “arrest “... when he fled Austria locked him up for being an “enemy of the king “ poor dude couldn’t catch a break although he and Jefferson wrote Frances Rights of Man. He was also vehemently against slavery buying plantations and freeing Slaves and giving a tiny bit of land to them. His whole life he pushed liberty and trying for them to be implemented through world.

1:00 - Chapter 1 - Early days 2:55 - Chapter 2 - Life in the streets 3:55 - Chapter 3 - Back home 5:35 - Chapter 4 - The turnaround 7:30 - Chapter 5 - Vidocq is out 8:50 - Chapter 6 - The Sûreté is born 10:20 - Chapter 7 - The 1st retirement 12:45 - Chapter 8 - From spy to private eye 14:35 - Chapter 9 - Elementary , my dear Vidocq 16:50 - Chapter 10 - Lunch with a side of murder 18:40 - Chapter 11 - The legacy continues

In contrast to the previous comment by gem themage, I cannot possibly fall asleep while listening to biographics. The shows are always so entertaining and informative that my brain refuses to succumb. Thank you Simon and as always, forever endeavor my friend.

I saw the movie 'Vidocq' back around 2001 and I knew it was based on somebody who actually existed but I had no idea of his legacy concerning criminology and investigation methods. Very nice one! Too bad today, the legal system of most countries would never allow an individual with a history of crimes to change sides and work for police forces and even less create his one of his own.

I like this new writers style. Feels the same but has a slight twist of his own style. Really looking forward to the next video he writes!

If I were any good at fiction writing, I would write a mystery series about the Vidocq Society. Completely fictional cases and investigators, and maybe under one of Vidocq's aliases as the society's name. So many possibilities. Too bad I'm just good at writing a random scene and not connecting the dots.

Mr. Alexander... well done sir. And Mr. Whistler... top notch as always. Including the Vidocq society was a nice touch. They are an incredible group of people who’s goal is to help and not be famous. Love it.

Had 0 clue who the last two were and I’ve absolutely loved both of them. Y’all are killing it

Great video as always. Brings new meaning to “Can’t beat em, join em.”

The Vidocq Society......that's a damned good idea.

Yay! Vidocq is one of my favorite historical personalities. Thank you! You are in Prague right...not sure if you saw the czech "History of Criminology" series, episode about Vidocq... one of my all time faves!

I know I'm more than a year late to this video, but by far this is one of your more compelling videos. Thank you for all your hard work. I learned something new this morning.

Well done as always. Well written as well, Radu. Looks like you'll fit right in on the team :) Thanks for another informative and well-presented bio.

Lost it at the ‘making eyes at his employers wife’ bit. Well done good sir

These videos are so well done that I find myself clicking on them regardless of whether I have an interest in the particular subject of a given video - I've never been disappointed.

I majored in criminal justice but do not remember ever hearing about Vidocq. The society sounds interesting, and I wonder if they would be able to help with the cold case of Craig Frear in Scotia, NY. Wonderful video as always, love seeing these informative biographies!!

A single content of biographics a day with coffee is fvcking priceless.

What about Tsarina Cathrine II? She had a very interesting life from being unwanted pole to a Queen of Russia

The Vidocq Society sounds like an organization taken from a novel (with a few A-Team vibes).

It’s the Biographics that I think I won’t find particularly interesting, that turn out to be the most interesting. Ruddy marvellous channel!

I cant get enough biographics! Keep up the great work!!!

Your French pronunciation is quite good don't worry :) ! Love this channel. Recommending it to all my history buff friends and family ❤

Ragamuffin turned into a brilliant detective! And his legacy still lives on! Well done indeed again, Simon!

Learning more about the history of procedural methods is just fascinating! Thank you for presenting this so effectively. And congratulations to your new writer; this was eloquent and informative

This was REALLY GOOD. I shouldn't be surprised...You always bring your A-Game.

"I've got another channnel. It's called top tens.." Today I Found Out: *_Am I a joke to you?_*

What a fascinating life that man had. Thanks You Sir, for another amazing Biography👍😁

Well it was a pleasure to learn something completely new to me, as before I watched this video I had no knowledge of the life of Eugene Vidocq.

You nailed it. I was fact checking you and honestly 100% nailed it💯. You all must work hard putting these together. Thanks for the bit of knowledge💯💯✌

Always something learnt, every time. Such a blessing.

Ya'll should do a biographics on Thomas-Alexandre Dumas.

Never get tired of this or the other channels....phenomenal work, as always! 👍🏻👌🏻👏🏻🥇🏅🏆

This was so interesting! Thanks for this video.

You should do a video about the Vidoqc Society. They sound really interesting and it would be great to hear more info about them.

Very recommendable! As a teenager, I read a biography about the fascinating life of Eugene Vidocq

Fascinating subject! Great research & writing -- and as always, excellence in narration by Simon! I particularly enjoy the "slightly offbeat" subjects which you choose to spotlight, such as Mr. Vidocq. I had read maybe a two to three sentence description of him in a criminology class, and never pursued his history further on my own, so this was a nice surprise to discover! Kudos to the researcher/writer on providing a well-rounded view of Vidocq's motives, exploits, contributions, etc. To portray any given subject as neither "all bad" nor "all good" is quite a challenge. But when the writer succeeds, as in this case(!), the viewer is treated to a riveting true story about a real person -- and history comes alive! Very enjoyable! 😊 😺

This is a great inspiration and example for any mystery writer. Thank you for this lesson

Starts as a con man, criminal and winds up catching them. Sounds like the Catch me if you Can guy.

Another great video presentation, Prof. Whistler! Excellent!

You are a lifesaver bro..months of insomnia cured with a simple youtube video! Kudos ❤

Hey Radu, great script Player!

requesting, video of king Tshaka/ Shaka Zulu

How do you pump out so many high quality videos. Also I'm requesting Hergé. Tintin is a part of my childhood

I like the new writers style. Good job!

Fascinating. Loved it

Could you please do Oskar Schindler his story is so interesting

Thanks for posting this video, as always it was very informative... I enjoy your work on these videos.

Do a video on Viriathus, the guy who single-handedly hold off the Roman Legion from conquering the Lusitanian tribes

Wow! Hard to believe I didn't know about this guy until just now. Thanks for this!

This was extremely interesting! Great job to the whole crew.

Any chance for more thief focused biographies? Would be fun learning about the thieves that had an honorable code

Very interesting. Never heard about the man..or the later society he inspired.. 🙂👍

What a fascinating biography. Almost like a real Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde! What an amazing transformation this man made in his life! Ironic that he finally realized he could do better to assist in fighting crime, rather than remaining a criminal. Sort of like the man in the story behind, "Catch Me if You Can." I had never heard of him before. How innovative he was -- long before Sherlock Holmes. Simon, I have a question -- Did Arthur Conan Doyle know about Vidocq? I am aware that his real life professor inspired his character of Sherlock Holmes. Just thought I'd ask... The Vidocq Society sounds like a terrific group of people. Thank you for this insightful video. One man who is little known or appreciated by the public is Benjamin Henry Latrobe. He was the first professional architect/engineer in the United States. He was brilliant, but besot with financial challenges throughout his life. He was originally from Great Britain. He worked with Dolley Madison on White House furnishings and designs. He was multi-talented like Thomas Jefferson, and spoke different languages. Thanks again for the Vidocq bio, and for listening to my suggestion. Best wishes, Dianna

Lotte Reiniger, German woman who predated Disney by a decade with their animation techniques.

I am totally impressed. Thank you!

Such a great video Simon I love listening to them at work I get to indulge my historical interest as well my add ass needs a slight distraction to be productive or my mind wonders

Vidocq looks like the recently deceased wrestler Handsome Harley Race!

Could you please do a bio on Ip Man? Thank you :)

This was a great video. Vidocq was a interesting person and his life could make a great movie.

Love your vids, all channels, just few suggestions 🙏 Brian Clough, Isambard Kingdom Brunell, Jim MaCLean? (IRA), Paul Sykes (Ex Boxer & British Con), Yip Man

Great video .... thx

i've got a relative that was arrested more than once and now runs his own precinct

Great video. I like the pace, the editing and the enthusiasm of the presenter. The life of the fascinating Vidocq summed up in 20 mins. I look forward to watching more of your videos 👍

Could you do a biographics video of Feynman? would love that.

The tale of Eugene Vidocq reminds me of apocryphal tales of recruiting former bandits into the ranks of the Rurales...with great results for the peasants.

Can you do Ataturk, T.E Lawrence and Freud please

Another vid I didn't know I needed to see.

This was a really fun video, what a dramatic character who I never would have known about otherwise. (Although yes, sources were clearly biased :p )

You should do a bio on Alfred the Great if he hasn't already been done. How about Dick Turpin. Or a pirate...Blackbeard, or Bluebeard, Redbeard or whatever color beard he was.

How is this not a TV show?

Do William Pitt

Another great video! Thanks an keep them coming!

I was reading a book that him so I went to your video to learn more about how he went from a life of crime to the Father of modern Criminology

Hey Simon.. i discovered your channel a couple o weeks ago and I absolutely love it.. I am from India.. and we gained our independence from the British rule in the year 1947.. and one of the revolutionary figures in the fight for independence was Subhash Chandra Bose.. would love it if you made a video on him.. thank you..

The 19th century Frank Abagnale Jr.. Excellent video

Great video as usual Simon! Could you do a video on Nicolae Ceausescu, the iron-fisted Romanian ruler?

Great video! May I suggest for a future video Wilhelm Röntgen the founder of X-Rays I think it would be very interesting 😄

When I start talking about a subject I know really well, the voice in my head sounds like Simon Whistler.

How is a man who fled from prison able to become a police officer, especially back then??

Now, I want to see the movie about Vidocq with Gerard Depardieu!

I have a degree in Criminal Justice, I found this fascinating!

He seems to have had tremendous vigor and enthusiasm for life.

very good bio! tnx

Would love to see you do an episode on Frances Glessner Lee.

Great stuff!

Simon! Where did you find those musical clips at? Great video mate!

I learned, thanks.

Great video. I did try to read vidoqs' book. It was a tiresome but interesting read. I never did finish it, the writing style was very 'personal'. It exists as a free ebook,if anyone is interested...

There's also a great Dutch comic by the famous H.G.Kresse about his exploits.

I cannot have a bowel movement anymore without biographics

Best one in a LONG TIME

Please do one on Douglas Adams

I absolutely love this channel ❤️

He's also one of the inspiration for Jean Valjean

So modern criminology calls Eugene Vidocq daddy