De Grasse, François Joseph Paul << duh GRAHS, frahn SWA zhoh ZEHF >> (1722-1788), also known as Comte (Count) de Grasse, was a French admiral. He aided General George Washington at the siege of Yorktown in the American Revolution (1775-1783). De Grasse commanded the French fleet that drove the English Navy away from the Virginia coast and cut off General Charles Cornwallis from aid or retreat (see American Revolution (Surrender at Yorktown)). De Grasse later was defeated and captured by the British in the West Indies. He returned to France in disgrace.
De Grasse was born on Sept. 13, 1722, near the city of Toulon, France. He died on Jan. 11, 1788.
