Mass�na, Andr� 1758-1817
French general

The greatest of Napoleon I's marshals, he served for 14 years in the Sardinian army, and in the French Revolution rose rapidly in rank, becoming in 1793 a general of division. He fought in the campaigns in Upper Italy, defeating Count Suvorov's Russians at Zurich (1799), and became Marshal of the Empire in 1804. In Italy he kept the Archduke Charles in check, crushed him at Caldiero, and overran Naples. In 1807 he commanded the right wing, and was created Duke of Rivoli. In the campaign of 1809 against Austria he earned the title of Prince of Essling. In 1810 he compelled Wellington to fall back upon his impregnable lines at Torres Vedras, was forced to retreat after five months by lack of supplies, but was recalled. At the Restoration (1814) he adhered to the Bourbons and on Napoleon's return from Elba Mass�na refused to follow him.

Bibliography: James Marshall-Cornwall, Andr� Mass�na (1965)