Charles Francois Lebrun, duke of Piacenza, a French statesman, born at St. Sauveur-Len-delin, Normandy, March 19, 1739, died near Dourdan, June 16, 1824. In early life he secured the protection of Chancellor Maupeou, and after the downfall of his patron occupied himself with prose translations of Tasso's Gerusalemme liberata, Homer's Iliad, and other works. A letter advocating political and social reforms, published by him in 1789 under the title of La voix du citoyen, brought him into considerable notice, and he was elected a deputy to the states general. As a member of the constituent assembly he opposed the issuing of assignats and the establishment of lotteries. He subsequently became president of the administrative directory of Seine-et-Oise, was twice imprisoned during the reign of terror, entered the council of the ancients in 1795, and after the 18th Brumaire was chosen by Bonaparte third consul. He rendered important services in the adjustment of the finances and the establishment of the court of accounts, and after the coronation of the emperor was created arch-treasurer and duke.

He was also at different times governor general of Liguria and of Holland. After the abdication of Napoleon he adhered to the Bourbons; but having accepted the office of grand master of the university under the emperor during the hundred days, he was excluded from the chamber of peers till 1819. His latter years were passed in retirement, during which he finished a translation of the Odyssey.