André Masséna

For more information on André Masséna, duke de Rivoli, visit Britannica.com.

Masséna, Marshal André, Duc de Rivoli, Prince d'Essling (1758-1817). Born at Nice in 1758, Masséna served fourteen years in the ranks of the infantry, leaving in 1789 to join a volunteer battalion which elected him its commander in 1792. A general in 1793, he trounced the Austrians at Rivoli in January 1797 and went on to defeat the Russians at Zurich. Given command of the battered Army of Italy, he held Genoa for two months, surrendering on terms. His stout defence distracted the Austrians, helping Bonaparte (see Napoleon) to invade northern Italy and beat them at Marengo.

Genoa broke Masséna's health, but he was made marshal in 1804 and commanded a corps in Poland in 1807. Napoleon peppered him at a shooting party in 1808, costing him an eye. Masséna did well in the war against Austria in 1809, and was sent to command the Army of Portugal in 1810. He was accompanied by a lady, unconvincingly disguised as a dragoon officer, which led to unpleasantness amongst his corps commanders. Following Wellington into Portugal, he found only scorched earth in front of the Lines of Torres Vedras. Wellington beat him at Busaco in September and Fuentes de Oũoro in May 1811. Masséna was replaced shortly afterwards: he had told Napoleon that he was past his best, and was undoubtedly right.

— Richard Holmes