Kurt von Stedingk
Encyclopedia
Curt Bogislaus Ludvig Kristoffer von Stedingk (26 October 1746 – 7 January 1837) was a count
of the von Stedingk family
, and a successful Swedish army
officer and diplomat who played a prominent role in Swedish
foreign policy during several decades.
on 26 October 1746. His father was Major Kristoffer Adam Stedingk and his mother was Countess Kristina Charlotta von Schwerin, daughter of Frederick the Great's the Great famous Field Marshal Kurt Christoph von Schwerin. He married Ulrika Fredrika Ekström, and became the father of one son and five daughters who married into the noble families af Ugglas, Biörnstierna, von Platen, d'Otrante and Rosenblad; he was the father of the composer Maria Frederica von Stedingk
. During the Seven Years' War
, at which time Sweden was at war with Prussia
, then thirteen-year-old Curt was an ensign in the personal regiment of the Crown Prince of Sweden. After the end of the war, he went to Sweden to claim compensation for damage done to his family's estate in Pomerania. This goal was not achieved, but instead, von Stedingk was introduced to the court, and became friends with the crown prince and his brothers.
, he began his military career, and rose quickly through the ranks in the Royal Suédois
regiment in France
, which was owned by his friend count Axel von Fersen. Both von Stedingk and Axel von Fersen were both close friends of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
and spent much time in Versailles
. By 1788, he had become colonel en chef, and by 1783, he was in charge of a larger army unit in Finland
, then an internal part of Sweden.
During the American Revolutionary War
, when France sent troops under the command of Marquis de LaFayette in support of the American colonies, von Stedingk went overseas to America
in 1779.
At Siege of Savannah
in October of 1779, he commanded the left column of the attacking force, and planted the American flag on the last line of enemy trenches, but was wounded by enemy crossfire, and forced to retreat, with 20 men, all wounded like he was. For this, he was decorated by the French and received a lifetime pension.
He was also recognized as a hero for his acts during the naval Battle of Grenada
fought against Vice Admiral John Byron
on 6 July 1779. For his feats in battle, von Stedingk was made a member of the Society of the Cincinnati
by George Washington
in 1783. However, the King of Sweden at that time, Gustav III
, forbade him to wear the insignia as they were awarded to him by a revolting people.
During the Russo-Swedish War started by King Gustav III in 1788, von Stedingk commanded the defence of Savolax
. His forces repeatedly defeated Russian forces which greatly outnumbered the Swedes, and von Stedingk was promoted to major general
.
He was Ambassador to Russia
in St. Petersburg in two turns - all in all almost 20 years.
In the Russo-Swedish War 1808-1809
he was Commander in Chief in Finland
, which still belonged to Sweden. Thanks to his very good standing with the Russian Imperial Family he later managed to alleviate the harsh terms of the peace negotiations when Finland was lost to Russia.
In the Battle of Leipzig
he successfully commanded the Swedish troops against Napoleon.
He was promoted to Field Marshal.
, and is said to have been mourned by both the King of Sweden, at that time, Charles XIV John
, and the armed forces.
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...
of the von Stedingk family
Von Stedingk
Von Stedingk was a Swedish noble family, and can refer to:* Curt von Stedingk, a Swedish military commander and diplomat* Maria Frederica von Stedingk, the daughter of the above, and a Swedish composer...
, and a successful Swedish army
Swedish Army
The Swedish Army is one of the oldest standing armies in the world and a branch of the Swedish Armed Forces; it is in charge of land operations. General Sverker Göranson is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Army.- Organization :...
officer and diplomat who played a prominent role in Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
foreign policy during several decades.
Early life
Von Stedingk was born in Swedish PomeraniaSwedish 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...
on 26 October 1746. His father was Major Kristoffer Adam Stedingk and his mother was Countess Kristina Charlotta von Schwerin, daughter of Frederick the Great's the Great famous Field Marshal Kurt Christoph von Schwerin. He married Ulrika Fredrika Ekström, and became the father of one son and five daughters who married into the noble families af Ugglas, Biörnstierna, von Platen, d'Otrante and Rosenblad; he was the father of the composer Maria Frederica von Stedingk
Maria Frederica von Stedingk
Maria Frederica von Stedingk , was a Swedish composer, noble and lady-in-waiting.Stedingk was born in Saint Petersburg to the Swedish Field Marshal Count Kurt von Stedingk and Ulrika Fredrika Ekström...
. During the Seven Years' War
Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War was a global military war between 1756 and 1763, involving most of the great powers of the time and affecting Europe, North America, Central America, the West African coast, India, and the Philippines...
, at which time Sweden was at war with Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
, then thirteen-year-old Curt was an ensign in the personal regiment of the Crown Prince of Sweden. After the end of the war, he went to Sweden to claim compensation for damage done to his family's estate in Pomerania. This goal was not achieved, but instead, von Stedingk was introduced to the court, and became friends with the crown prince and his brothers.
Military career
In 1763, after von Stedingk completed his studies at Uppsala UniversityUppsala University
Uppsala University is a research university in Uppsala, Sweden, and is the oldest university in Scandinavia, founded in 1477. It consistently ranks among the best universities in Northern Europe in international rankings and is generally considered one of the most prestigious institutions of...
, he began his military career, and rose quickly through the ranks in the Royal Suédois
Royal Suédois
The Royal-Suédois was an infantry regiment in the French Army during the Ancien Régime. It was created in 1690 from Swedish prisoners taken during the Battle of Fleurus. The regiment was very successful and eventually earned the right and privilege to be called a Royal regiment. Thus it was named...
regiment 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...
, which was owned by his friend count Axel von Fersen. Both von Stedingk and Axel von Fersen were both close friends of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette ; 2 November 1755 – 16 October 1793) was an Archduchess of Austria and the Queen of France and of Navarre. She was the fifteenth and penultimate child of Holy Roman Empress Maria Theresa and Holy Roman Emperor Francis I....
and spent much time in Versailles
Versailles
Versailles , a city renowned for its château, the Palace of Versailles, was the de facto capital of the kingdom of France for over a century, from 1682 to 1789. It is now a wealthy suburb of Paris and remains an important administrative and judicial centre...
. By 1788, he had become colonel en chef, and by 1783, he was in charge of a larger army unit in Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, then an internal part of Sweden.
During the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, when France sent troops under the command of Marquis de LaFayette in support of the American colonies, von Stedingk went overseas to America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1779.
At Siege of Savannah
Siege of Savannah
The Siege of Savannah or the Second Battle of Savannah was an encounter of the American Revolutionary War in 1779. The year before, the city of Savannah, Georgia, had been captured by a British expeditionary corps under Lieutenant-Colonel Archibald Campbell. The siege itself consisted of a joint...
in October of 1779, he commanded the left column of the attacking force, and planted the American flag on the last line of enemy trenches, but was wounded by enemy crossfire, and forced to retreat, with 20 men, all wounded like he was. For this, he was decorated by the French and received a lifetime pension.
He was also recognized as a hero for his acts during the naval Battle of Grenada
Battle of Grenada
The Battle of Grenada took place on 6 July 1779 during the American War of Independence in the West Indies between the British Royal Navy and the French Navy.-Origins:...
fought against Vice Admiral John Byron
John Byron
Vice Admiral The Hon. John Byron, RN was a Royal Navy officer. He was known as Foul-weather Jack because of his frequent bad luck with weather.-Early career:...
on 6 July 1779. For his feats in battle, von Stedingk was made a member of the Society of the Cincinnati
Society of the Cincinnati
The Society of the Cincinnati is a historical organization with branches in the United States and France founded in 1783 to preserve the ideals and fellowship of the American Revolutionary War officers and to pressure the government to honor pledges it had made to officers who fought for American...
by George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
in 1783. However, the King of Sweden at that time, Gustav III
Gustav III of Sweden
Gustav III was King of Sweden from 1771 until his death. He was the eldest son of King Adolph Frederick and Queen Louise Ulrica of Sweden, she a sister of Frederick the Great of Prussia....
, forbade him to wear the insignia as they were awarded to him by a revolting people.
During the Russo-Swedish War started by King Gustav III in 1788, von Stedingk commanded the defence of Savolax
Savonia (historical province)
Savonia is a historical province in the east of Finland. It borders to Uusimaa, Tavastia, Ostrobothnia, and Karelia. Largest cities in Savo by population are Kuopio, Mikkeli, Savonlinna and Varkaus.-Administration:...
. His forces repeatedly defeated Russian forces which greatly outnumbered the Swedes, and von Stedingk was promoted to 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...
.
He was Ambassador to Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
in St. Petersburg in two turns - all in all almost 20 years.
In the Russo-Swedish War 1808-1809
Finnish War
The Finnish War was fought between Sweden and the Russian Empire from February 1808 to September 1809. As a result of the war, the eastern third of Sweden was established as the autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland within the Russian Empire...
he was Commander in Chief in Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, which still belonged to Sweden. Thanks to his very good standing with the Russian Imperial Family he later managed to alleviate the harsh terms of the peace negotiations when Finland was lost to Russia.
In the Battle of Leipzig
Battle of Leipzig
The Battle of Leipzig or Battle of the Nations, on 16–19 October 1813, was fought by the coalition armies of Russia, Prussia, Austria and Sweden against the French army of Napoleon. Napoleon's army also contained Polish and Italian troops as well as Germans from the Confederation of the Rhine...
he successfully commanded the Swedish troops against Napoleon.
He was promoted to Field Marshal.
Death and afterward
Avon Stedingk died at age 90 in StockholmStockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, and is said to have been mourned by both the King of Sweden, at that time, Charles XIV John
Charles XIV John of Sweden
Charles XIV & III John, also Carl John, Swedish and Norwegian: Karl Johan was King of Sweden and King of Norway from 1818 until his death...
, and the armed forces.
Other sources
- Hofberg et al., Svenskt biografiskt handlexikon 1906, Albert Bonnier publishing company. Available at Project Runeberg.
- von Platen, Carl Henrik (1995) Stedingk: Curt von Stedingk (1746-1837) : kosmopolit, krigare och diplomat hos Ludvig XVI, Gustav III och Katarina den stora (Atlantis) ISBN 978-9174861877