# Louis de Rohan — The Humbugs of the World character guide

> Louis de Rohan in The Humbugs of the World by P. T. Barnum.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** de Rohan

**First appearance:** 0053-xlii

## Snapshot

A grand cardinal of France, hungry for royal favor, whose vanity makes him the perfect mark for a glittering swindle.

## Who they are

Cardinal de Rohan moves through the highest circles of pre-revolutionary France, wealthy, well-connected, and acutely sensitive to his standing at court. His desire to regain the queen's goodwill is so strong that he accepts extraordinary assurances without scrutiny, becoming the central dupe of the Diamond Necklace affair. Barnum uses him to demonstrate that education and rank offer no immunity to humbug when self-importance and longing for favor cloud the judgment.

## Relationships

### [Marie Antoinette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/marie_antoinette)

_social_

Louis de Rohan and Marie Antoinette are acquaintances in the French court, though their relationship is strained by scandal.

### [Messrs. Boehmer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/messrs_boehmer)

_professional_

Louis de Rohan deals with Messrs. Boehmer as a buyer or intermediary in the infamous diamond necklace affair.

### [Count of St. Germain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/count_of_st_germain)

_social_

The Count of St. Germain and Louis de Rohan move in similar aristocratic and occult circles, likely as acquaintances.

### [Riza Bey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/riza_bey)

_professional_

Louis de Rohan and Riza Bey are involved in diplomatic or financial dealings, possibly related to the diamond necklace affair.

### [Messrs. Boehmer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/messrs_boehmer)

_professional_

Louis de Rohan deals with Messrs. Boehmer as a buyer or intermediary in the infamous diamond necklace affair.

## In the story

### [Part VIII: Adventurers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/part-viii-adventurers)

A cardinal duped in the Diamond Necklace Affair, whose gullibility led to a major scandal involving Marie Antoinette.

### [Count Cagliostro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xl)

Mentioned as part of the Diamond Necklace story involving Cagliostro and Marie Antoinette.

### [Chapter XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xli)

The Cardinal, a proud and foolish nobleman excluded from court, desperate for the Queen's favor; becomes the dupe of Jeanne de St. Remi and Cagliostro, ultimately agreeing to purchase the diamond necklace on the Queen's behalf.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/louis_de_rohan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters