Background
Simon was born in Brussels. He was a son of the engraver Jacob Simon, under whom he learned his trade.
Simon was born in Brussels. He was a son of the engraver Jacob Simon, under whom he learned his trade.
When not quite fifteen years of age he was appointed engraver to Prince Charles Alexander of Lorraine. In 1775 he removed to Paris, where he became engraver to the Duke of Orleans in Chartres, with a yearly salary of 200 thaler. He soon became engraver to King Louis XVI, which position he held until 1792.
At the beginning of French Revolutionary Wars, Simon commanded a company under General Charles François Dumouriez.
After being banished for a short period, he was recalled and became engraver to the empress Josephine. In 1813 he rejoined the army, and served as colonel of a regiment of lancers in the first corps of the francs-éclaireurs of the department of the Seine.
Discharged on half-pay in 1814, he took no prominent part in the campaign of 1815, and in 1816 he went to Brussels, where he passed the rest of his life.