Hermann von Boyen

Leopold Hermann Gottlieb Ludwig von Boyen
(20.6.1771 - 15.2.1848)
place of birth: Kreuzburg (Slavskoye, RU - East Prussia)
Generalfeldmarschall: 7 October 1847

Calm and effective staff officer who served as a Prussian field marshal and Minister of War. Orphaned at an early age, he joined the army and saw action during the 1794 revolt in Poland. He was badly wounded at Auerstädt (1806) and two years later was appointed by Scharnhorst to the new Military Reorganization Commission. Boyen became known as one of the "Five Reformers," together with Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, Clausewitz and Grolman.

As Friedrich von Bülow's chief of staff, von Boyen saw action at Grossbeeren, Dennewitz, Leipzig and Laon (all in 1814). Serving as Minister of War (1814-19), he supported the adoption of universal military service. He lived in retirement for the next 20 years, but in 1840 was recalled by the King to serve as councillor of state. He was promoted to field marshal and selected again headed the War Ministry (1841-1847) until his retirement.