Melchior de Marion Brésillac was a French Catholic prelate born in 1813 who dedicated his life to missionary work. After being ordained in 1838, he served in India for twelve years, where he rose to the rank of titular bishop. During his time in India, he advocated for the training of local clergy and opposed the social caste system. He later founded the Society of African Missions in 1856 to evangelize Africa. He died in 1859 in Freetown, Sierra Leone, after contracting yellow fever shortly after arriving in the region.