Early life

Henri-César de Castellane-Majastre was born on 28 March 1733 in Riez, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France.^[1] A French aristocrat, he was a member of the House of Castellane. His father was César-Henri de Castellane (1693-1761) and his mother, Agathe de Martin.

Career

He served as a career officer in the French Navy.^[1][2] He became Gardes de la Marine in 1749, Lieutenant in 1762 and Captain in 1775.^[2]

Castellane-Majastre served in the American Revolutionary War, commanding the 32-gun frigate Flore in 1778. He later served in the squadron under Grasse, leaving from Brest on 22 March 1781, bound for Martinique.^[1] He served in the Invasion of Tobago on 30 May 1781.^[2] The campaign led to the capture of Cornwallis. Castellane-Majastre took part in the Battle of the Chesapeake on 5 September 1781 and the Siege of Yorktown on 19 October 1781.^[1][3]

Additionally, he fought in the Battle of Saint Kitts, commanding the 74-gun Marseillais in April 1782.^[1] A month later, in May 1782, he served with the fleet of Louis-Philippe de Vaudreuil (1724–1802).^[1]

In October 1782, he was inducted in the Society of the Cincinnati and received 800 pounds from them for his service.^[2] On 1 October 1784, he became Chef d'escadre.^[2]

Personal life

He married Marie Claire de Montolieu (unknown-1800). They had two sons:

• Charles de Castellane (1783-1857).
• César Elzéar de Castellane, Comte de Castellane-Majastres (1784-1835).

He died on 5 May 1789 in Riez, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France.^[1][2]

Legacy

The Place Castellane in Marseille is named in his honour.