Background
Jean-Baptiste was the son of a magistrate of Amiens and was born there on the 15th of September 1715.
Jean-Baptiste was the son of a magistrate of Amiens and was born there on the 15th of September 1715.
Jean-Baptiste entered the French royal artillery in 1732 as a volunteer, and became an officer in 1735. For nearly twenty years regimental duty and scientific work occupied him, and in 1752 he became captain of a company of miners. A few years later he was employed in a military mission in Prussia. In 1757, being then a lieutenant colonel, he was lent to the Austrian army on the outbreak of the Seven Years’ War, and served as a general officer of artillery. The siege of Glatz and the defence of Schweidnitz were his principal exploits.
On his return to France he was made maréchal de camp, in 1764 inspector of artillery, and in 1765 lieutenant-general and commander of the order of St Louis. For some years after this he was in disfavour at court, and he became first inspector of artillery only in 1776. He was now able to carry out the reforms in the artillery arm which are his chief title to fame. He was also responsible for the règlement for the French artillery issued in 1776. He died in 1789.
Jean-Baptiste was known for modifying the French cannon. He created a new production system that allowed lighter, more uniform guns without sacrificing range. These guns proved essential to French military victories during the Napoleonic wars. Gribeauval is credited as the earliest known advocate for interchangeability of gun parts.
The empress Maria Theresa rewarded him for his work with the rank of Feldmarschallleutnant and the cross of the Military Order of Maria Theresa. In 1776 he received the grand cross of the St Louis order.
