Alphonse-Louis du Plessis de Richelieu

Alphonse-Louis du Plessis de Richelieu (1582 – 23 March 1653) was a French Carthusian, bishop and Cardinal. He was the elder brother of Armand Cardinal Richelieu, the celebrated minister of Louis XIII.

Life
He was born in Paris and was educated at the Collège de Navarre. He refused the position of Bishop of Luçon, practically in the gift of his family. He entered the Carthusian Order in 1602 and made his profession in 1605. He became prior of, Caumont-sur-Durance. His harsh censorship drove Renė Descartes out of France.

His episcopate was arranged by his brother, and he was named Archbishop of Aix in 1626 and then Archbishop of Lyon in 1628. He was created cardinal in 1629. He was named Grand Almoner of France in 1631 and presided over the funeral of King Louis XIII in June 1644. He participated in the 1644 papal conclave which elected Pope Innocent X.

He died on 23 March 1653 in Lyon.