Faustin I (1782–1867) was born Faustin-Élie Soulouque.

He was a career officer and general in the Haïtian army when he was elected President of Haïti in 1847.

In 1849 he is proclaimed Emperor of Haïti under the name of Faustin I.

He soon purges the army of the ruling elite, installs black-skinned loyalists in administrative positions, and creates a secret police, a personal army, and a black nobility.

However, his unsuccessful attempts to reconquer the Dominican Republic undermine his control and a conspiracy led by General Fabre Nicolas Geffrard forces him to abdicate in 1859.