Charles Grant was born in Mauritius in 1749, was brought up in Normandy and went into the army. He was created Vicomte de Vaux in 1777, and Chevalier de l'Ordre de Saint Louis in 1790. As a result of the French Revolution he went into exile in 1790, first in Jersey and later in London in 1793. Here he put himself forward for an administrative post in Canada and tried to raise an emigre regiment to be commanded by himself. His papers reflect his career and interests, and he made use of some of them in his 'Memoires'.