Bernhard, Duke of Weimar

Bernhard, Duke of Weimar, a celebrated German general, born in 1604, was the youngest of the eight sons of John, third Duke of Saxe-Weimar. On the outbreak of the Thirty Years' War, he took the side of Protestantism, and first distinguished himself in 1622 at the bloody battle of Wimpfen. Subsequently, he became colonel in the army of Christian IV. of Denmark. In 1631 Gustavus Adolphus made his appearance in Germany, and Bernhard was one of the first who flew to his standard. He commanded the left wing at Lützen, and after the king's death had the chief command. He took a very important part in the war; but after a brilliant career, he fell suddenly ill, and died at Neuburg on the Rhine, July 8, 1639. Bernhard's own opinion, and that of others, that he died of poison administered by his physician, who is supposed to have been in the pay of Richelieu, is not supported by evidence. See Droysen, Bernhard von Weimar (Leip. 1885).