Biographies

Jurien de la Gravière was born at Brest on 19 November, 1812. He entered the army in 1828, and distinguished himself at a very young age through his talents. Appointed Capitaine de Frégate in 1841, he then carried out a three-year campaign in the Far East (1847-1850). He was then promoted to Capitaine de vaisseau […]

A Prussian officer, and later Generalfeldmarschall. He was born in Berlin on 9 April, 1763 and died on 17 February, 1823. He took part in the 1793-95 campaign against France at the rank of captain in the infantry, winning the Pour le Mérite medal in 1793.After this he commanded an Infantry Battalion in the “von […]

Born into a family of ancient lineage, he served initially against the Turks, and later commanded the artillery under Clerfay during the Revolutionary war, winning the Commander's cross of the Order of Maria Theresa. In 1803, he was appointed Commandant-General of Bohemia. In 1805, he served in the army whose mission it was to occupy […]

Polish general and patriot, (1746-1817) Tadeusz Kosciuszko was born in Merechevschina in Lithuania on 4 February, 1746. From 1776, he took part in the American War of Independence alongside the insurgents. When he returned to Poland in 1784, he joined the patriots there in the fight against the Russians. He was named Commander in Chief […]

Fact file Born Kersmarch (Hungary), 1735, died 1804. Distinguished himself during the Seven Years War (1756-63) Extinguished the revolt of the Walachians in Transylvania, 1788 Made general in the war against the Turks, 1790 Temporary head of the Austrian army in Italy when Melas was ill, 1799 Victory over Schérer at Magnano, 5 April 1800 […]

Mikhail Kutuzov began his military service in the artillery before becoming ADC to the Prince of Holstein-Beck in 1762. He was later sent to the Crimean army as a punishment for light-hearted but ill-advised remarks made to friends about the general-in-chief. This episode persuaded him to hide his natural enthusiasm and instead focus on remaining […]

b. Turin 17 November, 1804 - d. Florence 5 January, 1878

Louis Lafitte was born in Paris on 15 November, 1770. He was initially pupil to the engraver Gilles Antoine Demarteau (1750-1802), later going on to study under the painter Jean-Baptiste Regnault (1754-1829), and in 1791 he won the Premier Prix de Rome for his composition on the subject Regulus returning to Carthage. His time in […]

Count Louis Alexandre Andrault de Langeron was one of many French émigrés in the Russian service. He was born in Paris on 24 January 1763, into a French noble family. His first experience of battle was in the American War of Independence. He then served at Caracas and Saint Domingo in 1782 – 1783, before […]

‘L'un des militaires les plus distingués qu'a eus la France! Chez Lannes, le courage l'emportait d'abord sur l'esprit, mais l'esprit montait chaque jour pour se mettre en équilibre. Je l'avais pris pygmée, je l'ai perdu géant... Un des hommes au monde sur lesquels je pouvais…