Charles-Marie-Esprit Espinasse (2 April 1815 – 4 June 1859) was a French military officer who was briefly Minister of the Interior and Public Security in 1858.

[1] Espinasse participated in the campaign in Algeria from 1835 to 1849, where he was severely wounded in combat at Aures with four shots to the chest, lower abdomen and thighs.

In 1851 General Jacques Leroy de Saint Arnaud brought him to Paris to command the 42nd Infantry.

[1] Espinasse supported Louis Napoleon in the coup of 2 December 1851, and became his aide de camp.

The emperor appointed him Minister of the Interior and Public Security after the assassination attempt by Felice Orsini on 14 January 1858.