Duc de Persigny
(1808-1872)

Jean Gilbert Victor Fialin, duc de Persigny, was a French Bonapartist politician.

In 1832, Persigny was cashiered from the army on account of his republicanism, but he was later converted to Bonapartism and became one of its most earnest exponents. He participated in both of Louis-Napoléon's abortive coups, the first in 1836 and the second in 1840. After Louis-Napoléon finally came to power, Persigny served twice as minister of the interior (1852-54 and 1860-63) and twice as ambassador to Britain (1855-58 and 1859-60). He was eventually dismissed for his maladroitness, but was made a duke in compensation (1863).