# Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher

> Prussian field marshal (1742–1819)

**Wikidata**: [Q153522](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q153522)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gebhard_Leberecht_von_Blücher)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gebhard-leberecht-von-blucher

## Summary
Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher was a Prussian field marshal who lived from 1742 to 1819 and served as a prominent military commander during the Seven Years' War and the Napoleonic Wars. He is best known for his decisive leadership in the War of the Sixth Coalition, particularly his role in the Battle of Leipzig and the final defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. His career spanned service under the Kingdom of Prussia and Sweden, earning him numerous international honors including the Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross.

## Biography
- **Born**: December 16, 1742
- **Nationality**: Prussian (Kingdom of Prussia), also held Swedish citizenship
- **Education**: Not specified in source material
- **Known for**: Leading Prussian forces to victory against Napoleon in the Napoleonic Wars, specifically at the Battle of Waterloo
- **Employer(s)**: Kingdom of Prussia, Sweden (during the Seven Years' War/Pomeranian War)
- **Field(s)**: Military affairs, military command, military officer

## Contributions
Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher's primary contributions were his strategic military leadership and command during major European conflicts.
- **Seven Years' War (1756–1763)**: Served as a military officer and commander, participating in the Pomeranian War (1757–1762) fighting between Sweden and Prussia.
- **Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815)**: Led Prussian forces through the War of the Fourth Coalition, including the battles of Jena–Auerstedt (1806) and Lübeck (1806).
- **War of the Sixth Coalition (1813–1814)**: Commanded troops in a series of critical engagements including the Battle of Lützen, Battle of Bautzen, Battle of Haynau, Battle of Katzbach, Battle of Wartenburg, the massive Battle of Leipzig, Battle of Brienne, Battle of La Rothière, the Six Days' Campaign, Battle of Laon, and the Battle of Paris.
- **War of the Seventh Coalition (1815)**: Played a pivotal role in the Battle of Ligny and the decisive Battle of Waterloo, leading to the final defeat of Napoleon.
- **Prussian invasion of Holland (1787)**: Participated in this military campaign in the Dutch Republic.
- **Legacy Creation**: His military successes led to the establishment of the Blücher Order by East Germany in 1965 as a decoration named in his honor.

## FAQs
**What wars did Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher fight in?**
Blücher served in the Seven Years' War, the Pomeranian War, the Prussian invasion of Holland, and extensively throughout the Napoleonic Wars, including the War of the Fourth, Sixth, and Seventh Coalitions.

**Which specific battles is Blücher most associated with?**
He is most famously associated with the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, but his career also includes significant command roles at the Battle of Leipzig, the Battle of Lützen, the Battle of Katzbach, and the Battle of Laon.

**What honors and awards did Blücher receive during his lifetime?**
He received numerous high-ranking decorations including the Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, the Pour le Mérite, the Order of the Black Eagle, the Order of the Red Eagle, the Order of St. Andrew, the Military Order of Maria Theresa, the Order of the Bath, and the Order of the Elephant.

**Was Blücher recognized by countries other than Prussia?**
Yes, he was honored by multiple nations, receiving awards from Russia (Order of St. Andrew, Gold Sword for Bravery), Sweden (Royal Order of the Seraphim), Austria (Military Order of Maria Theresa), Britain (Order of the Bath), Spain (Order of Charles III), the Netherlands (Order of Willem), Denmark (Order of the Elephant), and Hanover (Royal Guelphic Order).

**What titles of honor were bestowed upon Blücher by cities?**
He was named an honorary citizen of Berlin and an honorary citizen of Rostock, with the latter title conferred on August 18, 1816, in recognition of his outstanding military merits.

## Why They Matter
Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher was a defining figure in the liberation of Europe from Napoleonic domination, serving as the driving force behind the Prussian military resurgence. His aggressive tactics and refusal to surrender, even after defeats like Jena–Auerstedt, inspired the coalition forces that eventually toppled the French Empire. Without his leadership at Waterloo, the outcome of the final battle might have been different, potentially altering the course of 19th-century European history. His legacy endures through the Blücher Order and his status as a symbol of Prussian resilience and military prowess.

## Notable For
- **Prussian Field Marshal**: Holding the highest military rank in the Kingdom of Prussia.
- **Victor at Waterloo**: Leading the Prussian army to the decisive battle that ended Napoleon's rule.
- **Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross**: One of the few recipients of this highest Prussian military decoration, awarded in 1813.
- **International Decorations**: Holding a vast array of foreign honors, including the Order of the Black Eagle and the Order of St. Andrew.
- **Honorary Citizenship**: Recognized as an honorary citizen of both Berlin and Rostock.
- **Long Military Career**: Serving from 1757 until his death in 1819, spanning over 60 years of military service.
- **Nickname "Marshal Forwards"**: Known for his aggressive, forward-moving leadership style.
- **Blücher Order**: The subject of a major East German decoration established in 1965.

## Body

### Early Life and Nationality
Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher was born on December 16, 1742. He was a citizen of the Kingdom of Prussia, a former European state that existed from 1701 to 1918, and also held citizenship in Sweden. His life spanned the years 1742 to 1819. He is classified as a human and an instance of a person.

### Military Career and Conflicts
Blücher's career as a military officer and commander began in 1757. He participated in the Seven Years' War (1756–1763), a global conflict among European powers. During this period, he fought in the Pomeranian War (1757–1762), which involved fighting between Sweden and Prussia. Later, he took part in the Prussian invasion of Holland in 1787.

His most significant service occurred during the Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815). In the War of the Fourth Coalition, he was involved in the Battle of Jena–Auerstedt in 1806 and the Battle of Lübeck in 1806. During the War of the Sixth Coalition, he commanded forces in numerous battles: the Battle of Lützen (1813), Battle of Bautzen (1813), Battle of Haynau (1813), Battle of Katzbach (1813), Battle of Wartenburg (1813), the massive Battle of Leipzig (1813), Battle of Brienne (1814), Battle of La Rothière (1814), the Six Days' Campaign (1814), Battle of Laon (1814), and the Battle of Paris (1814). In the War of the Seventh Coalition, he fought at the Battle of Ligny (1815) and the Battle of Waterloo (1815).

### Awards and Recognition
Blücher received an extensive list of awards and decorations throughout his life. From Prussia, he received the Pour le Mérite (the highest order of merit), the Order of the Black Eagle (highest order of chivalry), the Order of the Red Eagle, the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, and the Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (awarded March 10, 1813). He was also awarded the Order of Saint John (Bailiwick of Brandenburg).

International honors included the Order of St. Andrew from the Russian Empire, the Gold Sword for Bravery from Russia, the Military Order of Maria Theresa from Austria, the Royal Order of the Seraphim from Sweden, the Order of the Bath from Britain, the Order of Charles III from Spain, the Order of Willem from the Netherlands, the Order of the Elephant from Denmark, the Royal Guelphic Order from Hanover, the House Order of the Golden Lion, and the Order of Military Merit from Württemberg.

In terms of civic honors, he was made an honorary citizen of Berlin and an honorary citizen of Rostock. The Rostock honor was conferred on August 18, 1816, specifically in recognition of his outstanding military merits.

### Legacy and Posthumous Honors
The impact of Blücher's life was commemorated after his death. The Blücher Order was established in 1965 by East Germany as a decoration named after him. He is remembered as a key figure in the field of military affairs and military command. His work period is recorded as starting in 1757.

### Identifiers and Metadata
Blücher is associated with numerous technical identifiers and catalog numbers. His Wikidata ID is Q153522. He has identifiers in various library systems including the Library of Congress (n82138838), GND (118511882), and ISNI (000000011047294X). He is listed in the National Library of Israel (987007295917705171) and the National Library of Spain (118511882). His portrait is attributed to Peter Edward Stroehling. He is also known by the alias "Marshal Forwards."

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
3. BnF authorities
4. [Source](https://de.rodovid.org/wk/Person:840566)
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. International Standard Name Identifier
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
9. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
10. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
11. GeneaStar
12. Croatian Encyclopedia
13. SNAC
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb12227128j)
16. Sejm-Wielki.pl