Michel Dragon (Greek: Μιχάλης Δράκος; 1739–1821) also known as Don Michael Dragon or Michael Dracos was a Greek merchant[1] and lieutenant who served in the Spanish Army during the American Revolution, fighting with the Patriots for the independence of the United States of America.

His grandson Alexander Dimitry, who was mixed-race due to his mother's partial African ancestry, was the first person of color to attend Georgetown University.

His granddaughter Clino Angelica Dimitry married a prominent Italian surgeon Giovanni Pieri, MD.

He was actively involved in the unification of Italy and collaborated with Giuseppe Mazzini to form the first Italian government known as the Roman Republic (1849).

Dragon's military career began in the French militia when he migrated to New Orleans from the Greek city of Athens.

He was later honored by Charles III of Spain upon the recommendation of Baron Francisco Luis Héctor de Carondelet.

He continued his service to the Spanish military and Andres Almonaster y Rojas until New Orleans became part of the United States.

[8][9] Dragon married a freed African slave named Marie Francoise Chauvin Beaulieu de Montplaisir.

Dragon and Marie Françoise were married later in life due to the color of her skin and the issues surrounding interracial marriages in New Orleans.

According to the 1805 New Orleans City Directory, Michel Dragon and his wife resided at 60 Rue de Chartres.

Andrea Dimitry and Marianne Céleste Dragon lived next door at 58 Rue de Chartres.

[13] The laws governing black slave ownership and free people of color in New Orleans began to change.