Curt von Stedingk

Curt Bogislaus Ludvig Kristoffer von Stedingk (26 October 1746 – 7 January 1837) was a count of the von Stedingk family, and a successful Swedish army officer and diplomat who played a prominent role in Swedish foreign policy for several decades.

Biography

Early life Von Stedingk was born in Swedish Pomerania on 26 October 1746.

He married Ulrika Fredrika Ekström and became the father of one son and five daughters, who married into the noble families af Ugglas, Biörnstierna, von Platen, d'Otrante and Rosenblad; he was the father of the composer Maria Fredrica von Stedingk. During the Seven Years' War, while Sweden was at war with Prussia, the 13-year-old Curt was an ensign in the personal regiment of the Crown Prince of Sweden.

After the war ended, he went to Sweden to claim compensation for damage done to his family's estate in Pomerania. This goal was not achieved, but von Stedingk was introduced to the court and became friends with the crown prince and his brothers.

In Canada, the lineage continues with Baron Vicko von Stedingk and his wife Baroness Paula von Stedingk.

Career

Military career

In 1763, after von Stedingk completed his studies at Uppsala University, he began his military career, and rose quickly through the ranks in the Royal Suédois regiment in France, which was owned by his friend count Axel von Fersen. Both von Stedingk and Axel von Fersen were both close friends of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette and spent much time in Versailles.

During the American Revolutionary War, when France sent troops under the command of Marquis de LaFayette in support of the American colonies, von Stedingk went overseas to America in 1779.

At the siege of Savannah in October 1779, he commanded the left column of the attacking force, and planted the American flag on the last line of British trenches, but was wounded by crossfire from the defenders and forced to retreat, with 20 men, all wounded like he was. For this, he was decorated by the French and received a lifetime pension.

Death and afterward Von Stedingk died at age 90 in Stockholm, and is said to have been mourned by both the King of Sweden, at that time, Charles XIV John, and the armed forces.