VICTOR, CLAUDE PERRIN, duke of Belluno and marshal of France, was born at La Marche in the department of Vosges, on the 7th of December 1764. In 1781, he entered the army as a common soldier, and had just received his discharge at the outbreak of the Revolution in 1789. Fired by the events of that period, he re-entered the army, and rapidly rose to the rank of adjutant-major and chief of a battalion. Having greatly distinguished himself at the siege of Toulon in 1793, where he was twice wounded, he was made adjutant-general, and in the end of that year was transferred to the army of the Eastern Pyrenees, with the rank of general of brigade. In 1796, he joined the army in Italy, where he greatly distinguished himself, and was raised to a general of division. After the peace of Campo Formio he was appointed to the command of the department of La Vendée, and by his wise and conciliatory measures he restored peace to that unsettled country. In 1798 he again entered Italy at the head of a division, and distinguished himself in numerous engagements. At the battle of Marengo, where his division formed part of the advanced guard, his bravery and perseverance were so conspicuous that he was presented with a sabre of honour. On the peace of Amiens he was sent to Denmark as ambassador from France, and he afterwards took part in the battle of Jena, where he was wounded. He fought with great gallantry in several subsequent engagements, and in that of Friedland (14th June 1807) where he commanded the first corps of the grand army, his services were of such importance that Napoleon made him a marshal of the empire on the field. After the peace of Tilsit, he was appointed governor of Berlin with the greater part of Prussia; and for the fifteen months that he held this important office, he seems to have conducted himself with great equity and moderation. In 1808, he was sent into Spain with the command of the first corps of the French army, and gained several brilliant victories, for which he was created duke of Belluno. In 1812, while engaged in the blockade of Cadiz, he was summoned to take a command in the Russian campaign, and distinguished himself particularly at the battle of Berezina. He commanded the second division at the battle of Dresden, and principally contributed to the victory. He maintained his reputation at those of Wachau, Leipzig, and Hanau. In 1814, he bravely seconded the efforts of Napoleon in opposing the advance of the allies. On the restoration of the Bourbon dynasty, he was among the first to tender his allegiance, and received the command of the second military division at Mezières. On the return of Napoleon in 1815, he used his utmost endeavours against his old master, and was one of those that accompanied Louis XVIII. to Ghent. On the second restoration he was made a peer of France, and major-general of the royal guard. In 1821, he was appointed minister-of-war, and in 1823 accompanied the expedition to Spain as second in command. After the Revolution of 1830, he ceased to take any active part in public affairs, and died on the 3d of March 1841.