Chief of Paris police. Minister of the French Navy.

Conseiller (1752). Criminal lieutenant (1755). Lieutenant general of the Paris police (1759-74).

Installed street lighting and improved the cleanliness of city streets and public security. Appointed ministre de la marine (1774) and ministre d’état (1775).

Initiated a program of naval construction and rapidly increased the French fleet to provide aid to the Americans. Removed from his post by Necker for having overspent government funds (1780).

Born in Barcelona. Emigrated to Spain at the beginning of the French Revolution.