Grabinski, Józef Joachim (1771-1843)

Grabinski, Józef Joachim

GENERAL (POLAND)

BORN 19 Mar 1771, Warsaw - DIED 25 Aug 1843, San Martino in Argine, Emilia-Romagna
GRAVE LOCATION Bologna, Emilia-Romagna: Cimitero monumentale della Certosa di Bologna, Via della Certosa 18 (Loggia di Levante)

Józef Grabinski joined the Lithuanian army in 1791. He fought against the Russians in 1792 and distinguished himself at Brest-Litovsk. In 1794 he was promoted to colonel, but during the defense of Prague he was taken prisoner by the Russians and brought to Saint Petersburg. He was allowed to travel to Paris in 1797 and went from there to Milan. He fought against the Austrians in Italy and joined Napoleon's expedition to Egypt. After participating in the assault of Alexandria and in the Battle of the Pyramids in 1798 he wanted to return to France, but he was captured by Tuskish corsairs and imprisoned in Constantinople. After ransom was paid he returned to Paris in 1799.

In 1805 he received the Legion of Honour in France and in 1806 the Iron Crown in Italy. In 1806 he became the temporary commander of the Polish Legion in Silesia and Napoleon made him a general in March 1807. In 1808 Grabinski settled at the estate of his wife near Bologna. In Italian service he fought against groups of robbers. In 1831 he was appointed commander of the insurgent forces in Bologna with the rank of Major General. But the uprisings failed and he was excluded from the army afterwards.

Images

The tomb of Joseph Grabinski at the Cimitero monumentale della Certosa, Bologna.
Picture by Androom (10 Feb 2017)