Jean Lannes
Jean Lannes Duke of Montebello, Prince of Siewierz | |
|---|---|
Lannes in the uniform of colonel of the hussars, by Jean-Charles Nicaise Perrin (between 1805–1810) | |
| Nickname(s) | Roland of the Grande Armée, Achilles of the Grande Armée |
| Born | 10 April 1769 Lectoure, Guyenne-Gascony, Kingdom of France |
| Died | 31 May 1809 (aged 40) Ebersdorf, Lower Austria, Austria |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | Kingdom of France Kingdom of the French First French Republic First French Empire |
| Branch | Army |
| Years of service | 1792–1809 |
| Rank | Marshal of the Empire |
| Commands | V Corps Consular Guard |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour Commander of the Order of the Iron Crown Duke of the Empire |
| Spouse(s) | Paulette Méric
(m. 1795; ann. 1800) |
| Relations | Gustave Olivier Lannes de Montebello (son) |
| Signature | |
Jean Lannes, 1st Duke of Montebello, Prince of Siewierz (French pronunciation: [ʒɑ̃ lan]; 10 April 1769 – 31 May 1809), was a French military commander and a Marshal of the Empire who served during both the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
He was one of Napoleon's most daring and talented generals, and is regarded by many as one of history's greatest military commanders. Napoleon once commented on Lannes: "I found him a pygmy and left him a giant". A personal friend of the emperor, he was allowed to address him with the familiar tu, as opposed to the formal vous.