BOSSU, Jean-Bernard, marine, author. Born, Baigneux-les-Juifs, France, September 29, 1720; son of Claudine Thibault and Jean Bossu, a surgeon. Finished school at age sixteen and entered army, joining the Regiment of Poitou; a lieutenant in the Regiment of the Dauphine during the Italian wars; wounded in 1744; transferred from the land forces to the marines in 1748; commissioned as a lieutenant and trained troops for overseas duty. On December 26, 1750, sailed for Louisiana; assigned to Fort de Chartres in the Illinois country, served for six years; adopted by the Arkanças (Quapaw) Indians. Returned to France in 1757 for health reasons. Back in Louisiana in May 1758, ordered to go to Mobile to take supplies to Fort Toulouse; became friendly with the Alibamu Indians. Recalled to France in 1762 because of involvement in Kerlérec -Rochemore controversy; charged with libel by Kerlérec and jailed in the Bastille from April 1 to May 24, 1768; exonerated and granted a captain's pension, a gratuity, and the Cross of St. Louis. In 1768 a compilation of his letters was published under the title of New Travels to the Western Indies. Made a third trip to Louisiana, 1770-1771. Second book, New Travels in North America, published in 1777; his observations contribute to a better understanding of American Indians and our understanding of colonial Louisiana. Spent his last years in Aisey-le-duc, France, seeking support for a home for disabled marines. Died, Montbard, France, May 4, 1792; interred Montbard. J.B.C. Sources: Jean-Bernard Bossu, New Travels in North America, trans., ed. and annot. by Samuel Dorris Dickinson (1982); Marc de Villiers du Terrage, The Last Years of French Louisiana, trans. by Hosea Phillips, ed. by Carl A. Brasseaux and Glenn R. Conrad (1982).