Gerar Durok Duke of Friuli. Date of Birth: 25.10.1772 Country: France

Biography of Gerard Duroc

Gerard Duroc was born in May 1808 and was a divisional general from October 13, 1801. He belonged to a noble family and began his military career as a cadet at the military school in Pont-à-Mousson in February 1789. He started his service on February 1, 1792, as a sub-lieutenant at the artillery school in Chalons, but resigned on July 22 of the same year. In 1792, as a nobleman, he was forced to emigrate but returned the following year. From June 1, 1792, he served as a second lieutenant in the 4th artillery regiment. From 1793 to 1798, he fought in the Italian army. During the siege of Toulon, he caught the attention of N. Bonaparte and soon became his aide-de-camp and one of his closest confidants. He was wholeheartedly devoted to Napoleon. He distinguished himself during the Italian campaign, particularly during the crossing of the Isonzo River and the capture of Gradisca. Duroc accompanied Napoleon on all his campaigns, including the expedition to Egypt (1798-1801). On February 15, 1798, he became the commander of a battalion. He was wounded in battles at Saint-Jean-d'Acre and severely wounded at Abukir. He returned to France together with Napoleon. On October 17, 1799, he was appointed as the first aide-de-camp to General N. Bonaparte. He actively participated in the coup of 18 Brumaire and was sent on a diplomatic mission to Düsseldorf and Berlin on November 27. From March 14, 1800, he was the commander of the 3rd cavalry and equestrian brigade. In 1800, he was part of the reserve army and distinguished himself at the Battle of Marengo. In 1801, as the representative of the First Consul, he visited the Berlin and Russian courts, and in October, he visited the Swedish and Danish courts. On October 13, 1801, he was promoted to brigadier general. After his return on November 20, 1801, he was appointed as the governor of the Tuileries Palace. Immediately after the proclamation of the empire on July 14, 1804, he was appointed as the Grand Officer of the Imperial Court, and on February 2, 1805, he became the Grand Marshal of Napoleon's Court. From 1805 to 1807, he accompanied the emperor on campaigns in Austria, Prussia, and Poland. On December 17, 1806, he was severely wounded at Kutno. In 1805, he was sent to Berlin, where he secured a crucial neutrality agreement with Prussia for France. He distinguished himself at the Battle of Austerlitz, where he took command of the Grenadier Corps after General Udino was wounded. In 1806, he signed a treaty with Prussia, Saxony, and German princes, and in 1807, he signed a ceasefire that preceded the Treaty of Tilsit. He accompanied the emperor to Erfurt and Spain. In 1809, he participated in the battles of Essling, Wagram, and Znaim. Later, he headed the emperor's personal secret police. He accompanied Napoleon on the campaign to Russia in 1812. When the emperor left the army, Duroc went with him. In 1813, he played an active role in the formation of reinforcements for the army and led the reestablishment of the Imperial Guard. On April 5, 1813, he became a senator. Duroc was killed by a direct hit from a shell one day after the Battle of Bautzen near the village of Niedermarkersdorf. The monument erected at the site of his death bore the inscription ordered by Napoleon: "Here General Duroc died in the arms of his emperor and friend." Later, when Napoleon planned to go to England as a private individual in 1815, he chose the surname Duroc for himself.