Martignac, Jean-Baptiste-Sylvère-Gay, count de

(1778-1832)

   political figure

   Born in bordeaux, where he served as an attorney general, Jean-Baptiste-sylvère-Gay, count de Mar-tignac also was the procurator general at Limoges and was elected a deputy in 1821. He replaced jean-baptiste de villèle after the 1827 elections (which favored the opposition) and was head of the government from 1828 to 1829. His cabinet, relatively liberal, constituted the last attempt of the restoration to reconcile the regime and the Chamber of Deputies. In August 1829, he was replaced by jules de polignac, and had to defend himself during the trial of the ministers who had failed at the time of the July Monarchy.