Louis-Nicolas Davout (1770-1823), Prince of Eckmühl, Duke of Auerstedt

Nicknamed the Iron Marshal for his stern demeanour and his tenacious defense on the battlefield, Louis-Nicolas Davout is widely regarded as being among Napoleon’s most brilliant generals. Born into minor nobility in 1770, he was a junior officer at the outbreak of the French Revolution and embraced its principles. He was promoted to general of brigade following the Battle of Neerwinden in 1792, but was soon struck off the list of active generals on account of his noble birth.