[1] He was born in Peeblesshire, south of Edinburgh, in 1753 the son of Dr James Grieve (1700-1763), who had been physician to Empress Elizabeth of Russia.
In 1778 he began service to the Imperial Russian Army, firstly based with the Voronezh Division.
Returning to Britain in 1783 due to ill-health, he came to some fame through his attempt to introduce the Russian drink of koumiss (fermented mare's milk) to the country.
In this role he would undoubtedly have come into contact with Matthew Guthrie, a fellow Scot of very similar background, who was the personal Councillor of the tsar and empress.
[7] His sister Jean Grieve married Dr James Mounsey, who also saw service to the Russian royal family.