After his return , five years later , his fortunes were wrecked by the French Revolution ; .
He undauntedly set to work , and at the age of eighty ( 1796 ) carried off the prize in an open government competition .
After his return , five years later , his fortunes were wrecked by the French Revolution ; but he undauntedly set to work , and at the age of eighty ( 1796 ) carried off the prize in an open government competition .