Ernst Gideon von Laudon

Ernst Gideon von Laudon, since 1759 Freiherr von Laudon (originally Laudohn or Loudon; 13 February 1717 – 14 July 1790), was an Austrian military officer of Baltic German descent and one of the most successful opponents of the Prussian king Frederick the Great. Born in Swedish Livonia, which was soon ceded to Russia in the aftermath of the Great Northern War, Laudon joined the Imperial Russian Army in 1732 but became frustrated by its poor conditions and the lack of prospects. He eventually entered Austrian service and distinguished himself during the Second Silesian War against Prussia.