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Fersen, Hans Axel von 1755-1810
Swedish soldier and politician

The son of Count Frederik Axel von Fersen, he fought as a volunteer with the French army in America during the Revolution (1775-83). On his return, he served at the French court, where he became closely attached to Queen Marie Antoinette. In 1791, disguised as a coachman, he drove the royal family on their flight to Varennes. He returned to Sweden (1799) and in 1801 was appointed Earl Marshal. He rode in the funeral procession of Christian August of Augustenburg, the recently-elected heir to the Swedish throne, and was murdered by a mob who suspected him of having poisoned the prince.