La Tour d'Auvergne, Théophile Malo Corret de
Théophile Malo Corret de La Tour d'Auvergne (tāōfēl´ mälō´ kôrā´ də lä tōōr dōvĕr´nyə), 1743–1800, French soldier. Although an aristocrat, he fought for the revolutionaries in the French Revolutionary Wars. He had left the army because of ill health when he was captured (1795) by a British corsair and was imprisoned until 1797. Although he had retired, he rejoined the army to serve in place of his youngest and only surviving son. La Tour d'Auvergne was noted for his bravery and modesty; when he refused promotion he was officially dubbed the "first grenadier of France." He was killed in battle. Until 1814 his name was still heard at roll call, and his comrades' response was "Dead on the field of honor!" La Tour d'Auvergne was also a scholar of Gallic antiquities and of Celtic languages (especially Breton).