Fleurieu, Pierre Claret, count de

(1738-1810)

   naval officer, political figure

   Born in lyon, Pierre Claret, count de Fleurieu, who invented the maritime seconds watch (1769), served as director general of arsenals (1776) and set up the plan for naval operations for the American War of Independence. He also planned the voyage of the explorer of the South Pacific, jean François, count de la pérouse (see 1790-91 antoine entrecasteaux and jules dumont d'urville). Named minister at the time of the revolution of 1789, Fleurieu was imprisoned during the Terror. A member of the Council of Elders until 18 Fructidor (September 4, 1797), he was subsequently named councilor of state and governor of the Tuileries. Fleurieu is the author of Découvertes des français dans le sud-est de la Nouvelle-Guinée.