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Biron, Ernst Johann von

(Encyclopedia)Biron or Biren, Ernst Johann von ĕrnst yōhänˈ fən bēˈrôn, bēˈrən [key], 1690–1772, duke of Courland (1737–43, 1763–69), favorite of Czarina Anna of Russia. A Baltic nobleman, he rose ...

Trenck, Franz, Freiherr von der

(Encyclopedia)Trenck, Franz, Freiherr von der fränts frīˈhĕr fən dĕr trĕngk [key], 1711–49, Austrian officer and adventurer, b. Reggio di Calabria, Italy. A daring soldier known for his duels and love affa...

Lichnowsky, Karl Max, Fürst von

(Encyclopedia)Lichnowsky, Karl Max, Fürst von kärl mäks fürst fən lĭkhnôfˈskē [key], 1860–1928, German diplomat, ambassador to London (1912–14). In a privately circulated pamphlet (1916) he asserted th...

Flüe, Nicholas von der, Saint

(Encyclopedia)Flüe, Nicholas von der, Saint fən dĕr flüˈə [key], 1417–87, Swiss patriot and folk hero. He was leader of the cantonal forces fighting Austria and counselor for many years to the duke of Saxon...

Ebner-Eschenbach, Marie, Baronin von

(Encyclopedia)Ebner-Eschenbach, Marie, Baronin von märēˈ bärōˈnĭn fən ābˈnər-ĕshˈənbäkh [key], 1830–1916, Austrian writer. She began writing lyrics and plays with small success, but in middle age a...

Grimmelshausen, Hans Jakob Christoffel von

(Encyclopedia)Grimmelshausen, Hans Jakob Christoffel von häns yäˈkôp krĭsˈtôfəl fən grĭmˈəlshouˌzən [key], 1625–76, German novelist. Impressed into the Thirty Years War at the age of 10, he educated...

Dalberg, Karl Theodor, Freiherr von

(Encyclopedia)Dalberg, Karl Theodor, Freiherr von kärl tāˈədôrˌ frīˈhĕr fôn dälˈbĕrk [key], 1744–1817, German statesman, of an ancient noble family prominent in imperial service. He was archbishop-el...

Mansfeld, Peter Ernst von

(Encyclopedia)Mansfeld, Peter Ernst von pāˈtər ĕrnst fən mänsˈfĕlt [key], 1580?–1626, military commander in the Thirty Years War. Illegitimate son of a governor for the Hapsburgs in Luxembourg, he rendere...

Marschall von Bieberstein, Adolf, Baron

(Encyclopedia)Marschall von Bieberstein, Adolf, Baron äˈdôlf märˈshäl fən bēˈbərshtīn [key], 1842–1912, German diplomat. After years in the administrative service of Baden and as a member of its legisl...

Goltz, Colmar, Freiherr von der

(Encyclopedia)Goltz, Colmar, Freiherr von der kôlˈmär frīˈhĕr fən dər gôlts [key], 1843–1916, Prussian field marshal and military historian. A soldier, he served in the Austro-Prussian War (1866) and the...

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