Duquesne

Duquesne, Abraham, French admiral, was born at Dieppe in 1610, and is best known as the rival of the great De Rnyter in 1676. In 1672 he commanded part of the French fleet that should have co-operated with the English at the battle of Solebay; but he allowed personal jealousies on that occasion and on many others to interfere with his duty. He distinguished himself by bombarding Tripoli in 1681, Algiers in 1682, and Genoa in 1684. Although a Protestant, he was, on account of his services, excepted from the proscription that resulted from the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685; but as the exception extended only to him, and not to his children, who were banished, the last clays of the old seaman were greatly embittered. He died in 1688.