Curt von Stedingk

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American War of Independence

Russo-Swedish War (1788–1790)

War of the Sixth Coalition

Awards
Maria Fredrica
RelationsKristoffer Adam Stedingk (father)
Kristina Charlotta von Schwerin (mother)
Other workDiplomat
Politician

Curt Bogislaus Ludvig Kristoffer von Stedingk (26 October 1746 – 7 January 1837) was a

Swedish army officer and diplomat who played a prominent role in Swedish foreign policy for several decades.[1]

Biography

Early life

Von Stedingk was born in

Kurt Christoph von Schwerin.[2]

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 Fredrica von Stedingk. During the Seven Years' War, while Sweden was at war with Prussia, the 13-year-old Curt was an ensign in the personal regiment of the Crown Prince of Sweden.[citation needed
]

After the war ended, he went to Sweden to claim compensation for damage done to his family's estate in Pomerania. This goal was not achieved, but von Stedingk was introduced to the court and became friends with the crown prince and his brothers.[citation needed]

In Canada, the lineage continues with Baron Vicko von Stedingk and his wife Baroness Paula von Stedingk.[citation needed]

Career

Military career

Grave site of Curt von Stedingk at Björnlunda church

In 1763, after von Stedingk completed his studies at

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 1778, 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

Marquis de LaFayette in support of the American colonies, von Stedingk went overseas to America
in 1779.

At 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.[3] For this, he was decorated by the French and received a lifetime pension.[3]

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.[3]

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 that greatly outnumbered the Swedes, and von Stedingk was promoted to major general.

He was Ambassador to

St. Petersburg
in two turns – all in all almost 20 years. In 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.[4]

Death and afterward

Von Stedingk died at age 90

Charles XIV John
, and the armed forces.

References

  1. ISBN 978-1-143-87084-2
  2. ^ a b c Count Stedingk. Putnam's Monthly. Vol. 4–22. New York: G.P. Putnam & Co. October 1854. pp. 346–581.
  3. ^
    ISBN 978-1-4379-5007-6
    .
  4. ^ People from the past: Curt von Stedingk, ambassador and Sweden’s last field marshal (Trond Norén Isaksen)

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 978-91-7486-187-7
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