Forbin, Claude, chevalier, later count

(1656-1733)

   naval officer

   Born in Bouches-du-Rhône, Claude, chevalier Forbin served under the command of the duke of estrées and later the marquis Abraham duquesne in the campaigns of Messina (1675), the Antilles (1680), and Algiers (1682). He then was named high admiral of the king of siam (1686-88) and subsequently took part in the struggles against England alongside jean bart (Plymouth, 1689) and duguay-trouin. ordered to accompany the stuart pretender to the English throne to Edinburgh, Claude, now count Forbin, failed and was dismissed from his position. His Mémoires appeared in 1730.