Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick

Charles William Ferdinand was the Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg-Wolfenbüttel, a Prussian field marshal, and an enlightened ruler. He was the nephew and favored disciple of Frederick II the Great of Prussia. Despite his education and early success in the Seven Years' War, Charles's military career was marked by significant defeats, notably against Revolutionary France at Valmy in 1792 and Auerstädt in 1806. This latter defeat contributed to the collapse of the Prussian military system and made Prussia a French dependency.1

After inheriting his duchy in 1780, Charles attempted reforms in taxation, finance, and education, but faced resistance from the clergy and nobility. He achieved a military success in 1787 by restoring the Dutch stadtholder William V to power. However, his command of the Prussian army against France in 1792 was reluctant, and his advance was halted at Valmy. He retired from the Prussian high command after disputes with King Frederick William III, but was recalled in 1806, leading to his decisive defeat at the Battle of Auerstädt.1