Gustav David Hamilton
Encyclopedia
Gustav David Hamilton was a Swedish
count
and soldier
. He was born in 1699 in Barsebäck
, Malmöhus County
, Sweden. He left Sweden in 1718-1720 to educate himself in warfare in France
. In 1720 he became a captain and in 1740 he became a lieutenant colonel
, both during French service. In 1741 he returned to Sweden and made a series of career progressions. In 1741 he became a colonel
, in 1747 a major general
and in 1755 lieutenant general
. He was also named a count
in 1751, and in 1765 he gained the right to the title field marshal
. In 1778 he was made a Lord of the Realm
. He was also politically active in the Hats
.
In 1758 he was made commander of Swedish forces in Swedish Pomerania
during the Seven Years War. He led an advance on the Prussian
capital of Berlin
, but retreated following the Battle of Fehrbellin
in September 1758. Dissatisfaction with his performance led to him being replaced by his superiors.
He was the father of Adolf Ludvig Hamilton
.
Swedish Empire
The Swedish Empire refers to the Kingdom of Sweden between 1561 and 1721 . During this time, Sweden was one of the great European powers. In Swedish, the period is called Stormaktstiden, literally meaning "the Great Power Era"...
count
Count
A count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
and soldier
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
. He was born in 1699 in Barsebäck
Barsebäck
Barsebäck is a locality situated in Kävlinge Municipality, Skåne County, Sweden with 509 inhabitants in 2005.It lies about 4 km east of the harbour village Barsebäckshamn. It is known for the Barsebäck nuclear power plant, and for the internationally known golf course Barsebäck Golf & Country Club...
, Malmöhus County
Malmöhus County
Malmöhus County was a county of Sweden until 1997 when it was merged with Kristianstad County to form Skåne County.It had been named after Malmöhus, the castle in Malmö, which also was where the Governor originally resided....
, Sweden. He left Sweden in 1718-1720 to educate himself in warfare in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. In 1720 he became a captain and in 1740 he became a lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
, both during French service. In 1741 he returned to Sweden and made a series of career progressions. In 1741 he became a colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
, in 1747 a major general
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
and in 1755 lieutenant general
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
. He was also named a count
Count
A count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
in 1751, and in 1765 he gained the right to the title field marshal
Field Marshal
Field Marshal is a military rank. Traditionally, it is the highest military rank in an army.-Etymology:The origin of the rank of field marshal dates to the early Middle Ages, originally meaning the keeper of the king's horses , from the time of the early Frankish kings.-Usage and hierarchical...
. In 1778 he was made a Lord of the Realm
Lord of the Realm
En af rikets herrar or Lord of the Realm was a title introduced by King Gustaf III of Sweden after his bloodless coup d'état in 1772, and after the new constitution was passed by the Riksdag of the Estates. The title was not hereditary and was not connected with any special function or appointment...
. He was also politically active in the Hats
Hats (party)
The Hats were a Swedish political faction active during the Age of Liberty . Their name derives from the tricorne hat worn by officers and gentlemen. They vied for power with the Caps. The Hats, who ruled Sweden from 1738 to 1765, advocated an alliance with France and an assertive foreign policy,...
.
In 1758 he was made commander of Swedish forces in Swedish Pomerania
Swedish Pomerania
Swedish Pomerania was a Dominion under the Swedish Crown from 1630 to 1815, situated on what is now the Baltic coast of Germany and Poland. Following the Polish War and the Thirty Years' War, Sweden held extensive control over the lands on the southern Baltic coast, including Pomerania and parts...
during the Seven Years War. He led an advance on the Prussian
Kingdom of Prussia
The Kingdom of Prussia was a German kingdom from 1701 to 1918. Until the defeat of Germany in World War I, it comprised almost two-thirds of the area of the German Empire...
capital of Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, but retreated following the Battle of Fehrbellin
Battle of Fehrbellin (1758)
The Battle of Fehrbellin was a battle at Fehrbellin of the Seven Years' War between Swedish and Prussian forces fought on September 28, 1758.The Prussian forces under General Carl Heinrich von Wedel were attempting to stop the Swedish offensive into Brandenburg...
in September 1758. Dissatisfaction with his performance led to him being replaced by his superiors.
He was the father of Adolf Ludvig Hamilton
Adolf Ludvig Hamilton
Adolf Ludvig Hamilton was a Swedish count and politician. His father was Count Gustav David Hamilton. He was one of the leaders of the opposition of the nobility against King Gustav III of Sweden in 1789...
.