Albert Édouard Le Brethon de Caligny (11 December 1833 Pont-l'Évêque, Calvados – 17 January 1863, Shaoxing) was a French Navy officer and founder of the Ever Victorious Army.

(clarification needed) After studies at the École Polytechnique, Le Brethon joined the French Navy, rising to midshipman in 1855.

He distinguished himself during the Battle of Shanghai while leading a landing party, and was awarded command of Confucius.

[1] Promoted to lieutenant on 10 May 1862, Le Brethon was tasked to instruct locally recruited troops, leading to the training of the Ever Victorious Army.

[2] From October, he commanded a mixed troop of French and Chinese soldiers fighting the Taiping Rebellion.