Lui Nikola Davout Marshal of France, one of the best military leaders of NAPOLEON I. Date of Birth: 10.05.1770 Country: France

Biography of Louis-Nicolas Davout

Louis-Nicolas Davout (1770-1823) was a Marshal of France and one of Napoleon I’s best military commanders. He was born in Burgundy and successfully completed his military education at the Paris Military School in 1788. Davout was one of the French military leaders who owed their rise to the revolution and the overthrow of the Bourbon dynasty.

From 1794 to 1797, Davout served as a brigadier general in the Rhine Army during the revolutionary wars. He then participated in Napoleon's Egyptian campaign from 1798 to 1801, where he commanded French cavalry and distinguished himself in the Battle of Abukir on July 25, 1799. After this expedition, Davout became part of Napoleon's inner circle as the future emperor climbed to the height of power.

In the years 1800-1801, Davout successfully commanded the cavalry of Napoleon's Italian Army in the war against Austria. In 1804, he was granted the highest military rank - Marshal of France - and became one of Napoleon's advisors. From 1805 to 1814, Davout commanded an army corps and played a significant role in the military campaigns, including the Battle of Ulm and the Battle of Austerlitz.

Davout's brilliant victory at Austerlitz earned him the title of Duke of Auerstadt. In the Battle of Borodino, his corps was at the center of the main attack, aiming to capture the Russian field fortifications known as the Bagration Flèches. Although the attack was repelled, Davout's corps eventually managed to conquer the southern Flèche. During the retreat of the Grande Armée, Davout commanded the rearguard, fending off Russian forces and suffering heavy losses.

After the fall of Napoleon and the restoration of the Bourbon dynasty, Davout remained loyal to Napoleon even during his exile on the island of Elba. When Napoleon landed in France and started the Hundred Days campaign, Davout joined him and served as the Minister of War during this period. However, with the return of the Bourbons, Davout lost all his titles and ranks. Nevertheless, due to his popularity in the country and the army, his titles and ranks were restored in 1817, and he even became a Peer of France two years later.

In his later years, Davout played no significant political role and focused on his military and administrative duties. He died in 1823 from a lung inflammation. Louis-Nicolas Davout was regarded as a distinguished and pure hero of France, known for his strategic brilliance and military administration skills.