1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, Volume 12… (1911)
“ GRASSE, FRANÇOIS JOSEPH PAUL, Marquis de Grasse-tilly, Comte de (1722–1788) , French sailor, was born at Bar, in the present department of the Alpes Maritimes. In 1734 he took service on the galleys of the order of Malta, and in 1740 entered the service of France, being promoted to chief of squadron in 1779. ”
