Chevalier de Saint Georges
Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de SaintGeorges was a champion fencer, a virtuoso violinist and conductor of the leading symphony orchestra in Paris. Born in Guadeloupe, he was the son of George Bologne de SaintGeorges, a wealthy planter, and Nanon, his African slave. During the French Revolution, SaintGeorges was colonel of the Lgion St.Georges, the first allblack regiment in Europe, fighting on the side of the Republic. Today the Chevalier de SaintGeorges is best remembered as the first classical composer of African ancestry.
SaintGeorgess death certificate was lost in a fire what remains is only a report by the men who removed his body St. Georges Bologne, Joseph, rue Boucherat No. 13, Bachelor,Prairial year 7, Nicholas Duhamel, Exofficer, same house, former domicile rue de Chartres, taken away by Chagneau. Over the name Joseph someone, no doubt the receiver, scribbled 60 years, merely an estimate which, mistaken for a death certificate, added to the confusion about SaintGeorgess birthyear. Since he was born in December 1745, he was only 53.
Source: Wikipedia