PIGNEAU de BEHAINE, PIERRE-JOSEPH-GEORGES. - Missionary, born at Origny-en-Thiérache (Aisne, France), he pursued his studies in Paris at the Collège des Trente-Trois and was ordained priest in the Seminary of the Foreign Missions of Paris in 1765.
On 9 September of the same year he departed for Cochinchina and subsequently became professor (1767) and superior (1769) of the seminary founded by Bishop Pallu for the native clergy. Appointed in 1771 Bishop of Adran and coadjutor to the Vicar Apostolic of Cochinchina, succeeding him on 21 June of the same year, he was consecrated at Madras on 24 February 1774 and then settled in Cambodia. During the civil war he took under his protection the young prince NGUYEN-ANH, the last representative of the royal family massacred by the Tay-son rebels, and negotiated at Versailles on 28 November 1787 a treaty of alliance between King Louis XVI of France and the pretender to the throne of Annam, whom he assisted in regaining power. The political role played by Fr. Pigneau did not cause him to neglect his duties as Vicar Apostolic. His aim was to convert the young Emperor and make him the Constantine of Indochina. He died on 7 October 1799 near Quinhon and was buried with royal honours in a rich mausoleum.