Denis Luc Frayssinous, a French prelate and statesman, born at Curieres, in the district of Rouergue, May 9, 1765, died at St. Geniez, Dec. 12, 1841. He studied theology at Paris, was admitted to orders in 1789, retired to Rouergue during the revolutionary persecution, and began at Paris in 1803 the public lectures upon the proofs of Christianity which were the basis of his reputation. His eloquence and genius attracted the cultivated youth of the capital, and operated effectively against the reigning philosophy. When in 1809 the French empire came into collision with the holy see, his lectures were interrupted, and in 1811 he again retired to Rouergue, and returned only with the Bourbons. In October, 1814, he resumed his conferences, and was made successively royal preacher, bishop of Hermopolis in partibus, grand master of the university (1822), member of the French academy, peer of France, and minister of ecclesiastical affairs and public instruction (1824). He recalled the Jesuits into the schools and churches. In 1830 he was intrusted by Charles X. with the education of the duke of Bordeaux, whom he soon after accompanied into exile. He returned to France in 1838, after which he lived in retirement.

His principal works are funeral orations on the prince of Conde, Cardinal Talleyrand, and Louis XVIII.; Lesvrais principes de l'Eglise gallicane, etc. (1818); and a collection of his conferences under the title of Defense du Christianisme (3 vols.), of which 15 editions appeared between 1825 and 1843, and which was translated into many languages.