Louis Matliien Mole, count, a French statesman, born in Paris, Jan. 24, 1781, died Nov. 23, 1855. His father, president of the parliament of Paris, lost his life during the revolution, and the son passed most of his childhood with his mother in Switzerland and England. Returning to France in 1796, he studied at the central school of public works (now polytechnic school), and in 1806 published his Es-sals de morale et de politique, defending monarchical theories in politics. Napoleon appointed him auditor and soon afterward master of requests in the council of state. In 1807 he was made prefect of the department of Cote-d'Or, subsequently became councillor of state and director general of roads and bridges, and in 1813 received the appointment of grand-juge and the titles of count of the empire and commander of the order of reunion. While Napoleon was absent with the army, Mole acted as one of the council of regency, and attended the empress in her flight to Blois on the approach of the allied armies in 1814. By advice of the emperor, Mole gave in his adhesion to Louis XVIII., and was called to the municipal council of Paris. On Napoleon's return from Elba, though he refused to sign the declaration of the council of state against the Bourbons, he retained his office of director of roads and bridges, and was made a peer of France. On the second restoration he was renominated to the council of state and confirmed in his peerage; but he had little influence in the government.

In May, 1817, he became minister of marine in the cabinet of the duke de Richelieu. Resigning in December, 1818, he remained out of office until the accession of Louis Philippe, who appointed him minister of foreign affairs, Aug. 11,1830. The ministry, consisting of a coalition of parties, held together less than three months; but in September, 1836, Mole became again minister of foreign affairs and premier. He negotiated the marriage of the duke of Orleans, and procured an amnesty for political offenders; but after twice dissolving the chambers, he was forced to resign in March, 1839. In the fol-ing year he was chosen a member of the French academy. During the revolution of 1848 he Avithdrew from public affairs, but without solicitation was chosen to represent the department of Gironde in the constituent assembly, where he placed himself among the leaders of the right. He was a member of the committee which framed the law of 1850 against universal suffrage, and was one of those who protested at the mairie of the 10th arrondisse-ment against the coup d'etat of Dec. 2, 1851. The close of his life was passed at his ancestral chateau of Champlatreux. He was one of the stanchest supporters of the Roman Catholic church in France.