Kellermann, François Christophe de, 1st Duke of Valmy |
| MARSHAL (HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE) |
|
BORN 28 May 1735, Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin - DIED 12 Sep 1820, Paris: rue Saint-Dominique BIRTH NAME Kellermann, François Étienne Christophe de GRAVE LOCATION Paris: Père Lachaise, Rue du Repos 16 (division 30, ligne 01, T, 26) |
|
François Christophe Kellermann came from a noble family in Strasbourg that had its roots in Saxony. He joined the French army when he was fifteen years old and during the Seven Yerars' War he was promoted to captain in 1758. In 1771 he served in Poland and he received the Order of Saint-Louis. In 1785 he was promoted to marechal-de-camp. He would be the only one with that rank who would continue to serve under Napoleon. In 1789 he supported the French Revolution and he became general of the army in Alsace in 1791. In August 1792 he defeated the Prussians at the Battle of Valmy. He served in the army on the Moselle, but general Adam Custine accused him of failing to support him. He was cleared of the charges by the National Convention in Paris and was put in command of the army on the Alps of Italy. After that he fought the rebellion of Lyons against the Convention, but he was investigated by a group of représentants en mission who had him detained in Paris. He was imprisoned for thirteen months and narrowly escaped the scaffold. After the fall of Robespierre he was acquitted of the accusations against him and soon he returned to the army and seved against the Austrians. By 1800 his active career was over, but Napoleon made him a senator in that year. In 1801 he became the president of the Senate and in 1804 he became a marshall of France. In 1808 he received the title of Duke of Valmy. In 1814 he voted against the emperor and during the 100 days he kept quiet. After the restoration of Louis XVI he became a member of the Chamber of Peers. He voted with the liberals and also voted for the death of Michel Ney. He died in Paris in 1820. According to his wishes his hear was buried in the middle of the battlefield of Valmy. His ashes were buried at Père Lachaise in Paris. Family • Son: Kellermann, François Étienne de, 2nd Duke of Valmy |
| Images | |
 The grave of François Christophe de Kellermann at Père Lachaise, Paris. Picture by Androom (02 Nov 2018) |
 The statue of François Kellermann at the Place Broglie in Strasbourg, Haut-Rhin. Picture by Androom (19 Aug 2023) |
