Charles Alfred Chastel de Boinville  Charles Alfred Chastel de Boinville (1849 – April 25, 1897) was an Anglo-French architect, who worked in Japan and Britain. His father was a well known clergyman who completed 30 years of missionary service in France, and left several publications on his life such as Thomas Constable's Memoir. His ancestor prospered during the ancien régime in Lorraine, and owned estate named Boinville. His great-grandfather, Jean Baptiste Chastel de Boinville, became much associated with Lafayette in political matters, and served as aide-de-camp under him. When the French Revolution broke out, and the King and Queen were brought from Versailles to Paris, they were escorted by Lafayette, who rode on one side of the carriage, and by De Boinville on the other. Like many other noble unfortunates, Jean Baptiste‘s estates were confiscated by the Revolutionary Government. He escaped to Britain where he met a wealthy supporter of French emigres, John Collins, a sugar planter in St. Vincent. Jean Baptiste fell in love with a daughter of Collins, Harriet and got married at the Gretna Green. They had a son John Collins Alfred and a daughter Cornelia Pauline Eugenia. After Napoleon seized power, Joan Baptiste returned to France, and lost his life in the Russian Campaign of 1812. Harriet and Cornelia were active in fashionable and literary society, and supported Percy Shelly in 1813-1814. Two sons of John Collins Alfred, Charles Alfred and William tried to restore their old estate, but soon gave up to enter clergy service; Charles Alfred into protestant missionary in France and William into Anglican Church. Architect Boinville was born at Lisieux, where his father of same name was pastor, in March 1849. After some years, de Boinville was removed to Bar-le-Duc in Lorraine, near the old family home, and subsequently to Cherbourg. He entered the office of William Henry White, who at that time was in practice as an architect in Paris. As soon as the Franco-Prussian war broke out, his family left for London except De Boinville, who was called to serve his country, writing many balloon-post letters to his anxious family in London. Shortly after the conclusion of the war, he has as an officer of the Garde Mobile, been on the defense of Paris during the protracted siege.