Osip Mikhailovich Deribas, born Jose de Ribas, was born in Naples on June 6, 1749, although some sources indicate September 24, 1751. His father was Spanish and his mother Scottish, but Deribas himself became Russian.

From 1765 to 1769, Jose served in the Neapolitan guard, and in 1772, at the invitation of A.G. Orlov, he transferred to service in Russia.

Deribas participated in the Russo-Turkish wars of 1768-1774 and 1787-1791, where he demonstrated bravery and resourcefulness. He proposed a plan for the storming of the Turkish fortress of Izmail to A.V. Suvorov and commanded the flotilla during this assault.

In 1791, Deribas was promoted to the rank of rear admiral, and in 1799 he became an admiral.

After the war, Osip Deribas participated in the development of a plan for the construction of a port in Khadjibey (now Odessa) and personally oversaw its construction. He was actively involved in the building of the city of Odessa in New Russia, and the main street of the city was named Deribasovskaya in his honor.

Deribas was married to Anastasia Sokolova, the illegitimate daughter of the personal secretary of Empress Catherine II, Ivan Ivanovich Betsky. They had a daughter.

Osip Deribas passed away on December 14, 1800, in St. Petersburg and was buried at the Smolensk Cemetery. In 2005-2006, the authorities of Odessa wanted to move his grave to Odessa but were denied.

Odessa, a city where even the son of a Spaniard and a Scot becomes Russian.