Background
De Grassi was born in Rome, Italy in 1793 and served as a Captain in Napoleon’s French Army during the Peninsular War.
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Filippo Grassi
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During the war De Grassi was captured by the British and shipped to England. lieutenant was there he obtained a commission in the York Light Infantry Volunteers regiment of the British Army. He was sent to the British West Indies and served there from 1812 to 1815.
After his tour, he return to England and made a living by teaching languages.
In 1831 De Grassi and his family moved to Canada and settled in York, Upper Canada. He owned free land as a result of his military service at Don Mills Road and the Don River.
In Canada De Grassi was involved in the local militia. He later moved to Lindsay, Ontario, where he died in 1877.
De Grassi Street in Toronto was named in his honour.
The name has gained international recognition through the Degrassi television series.
