Joseph Dominique, baron Louis (13 November 1755 – 26 August 1837), French statesman and financier, was born at Toul (Meurthe).

[1] At the outbreak of the French Revolution the abbé Louis (he had early taken orders) had already some reputation as a financial expert.

He was in favor of the constitutional movement, and on the great festival of federation (14 July 1790) he assisted Talleyrand, then bishop of Autun, to celebrate mass at the altar erected in the Champ de Mars.

[1] In 1792, however, he emigrated to England where he spent his time studying English institutions and especially the financial system of Pitt.

Returning to France on the establishment of the Consulate he served successively in the ministry of war, the council of state, and in the finance department in Holland and in Paris.