Jacques Bellin (1703 – 1772) served for over fifty years as the first `Ingenieur hydrographe de la Marine’ at the French Hydrographic Service. During his term of office, he was commissioned to carry out major surveys, first of the coast of France and later of all the known coasts of the world. These surveys resulted in the production of a large number of sea charts of the highest quality. They were issued in many editions with varying numbers of charts until the end of the century. He was appointed Hydrographer to the King and was a member of the Royal society in London.
