Author Description

Coming from an émigré (Scottish) family settled in Livonia, Michael Barclay de Tolly, 1761-1818, was entered in the Russian army at six years old and went on active service at fifteen. He distinguished himself in the Turkish War of 1787, the European campaigns of 1790 onwards and, most spectacularly, in the Finnish War of 1808. As Russian Minister of War he prepared the country for Napoleon’s invasion but it was his position as field commander of the main Russian army during the first part of the 1812 campaign that brought him his greatest fame, for his judicious strategy, and disgrace in Russian eyes, for allowing Napoleon to advance so deep into Russia. Ultimately restored to favour, named Field Marshal, Commander-in-Chief, and eventually Prince of the Russian Empire, Barclay accompanied the victorious advance of the Allies across Europe, from the Russian border to the triumphal entry into Paris in 1814 and again in 1815. This is the first full-length study of Michael Barclay de Tolly.