--- title: Michel Ney author: François Gérard source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17589/michel-ney/ format: machine-readable-alternate updated: 2023-07-07 --- # Michel Ney _Authored by François Gérard_ ## Image File [![Michel Ney](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17589.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17589.jpg) ## Image Caption Portrait of Michel Ney (1769-1815), a French marshal of the [Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) during the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815). After distinguishing himself in the [War of the First Coalition](https://www.worldhistory.org/War_of_the_First_Coalition/), Ney rose through the ranks and was appointed as one of the original 18 marshals in May 1804. He distinguished himself in the battles of Elchingen (for which he was made Duke of Elchingen), Jena, and Eylau. Ney also commanded the French rearguard during the retreat from Moscow. Although Ney pressured [Napoleon](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Napoleon/) to abdicate in 1814, he rejoined the emperor during the [Hundred Days](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hundred_Days/) and was executed by firing squad after the French defeat at Waterloo. Oil on canvas painting by François Gérard, 1805. ## Cite This Work ### APA Gérard, F. (2023, July 07). Michel Ney. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Gérard, François. "Michel Ney." *World History Encyclopedia*, July 07, 2023. . ### MLA Gérard, François. "Michel Ney." *World History Encyclopedia*, 07 Jul 2023, . ## License & Copyright [Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marechal_Ney.jpg) by [**François Gérard**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marechal_Ney.jpg). Submitted by [Harrison W. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/harrisonwmark/ "User Page: Harrison W. Mark"), published on 07 July 2023. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.