Gerhard von Scharnhorst | |
|---|---|
 Portrait by Friedrich Bury, c. 1810s | |
| Prussian Minister of War | |
| In office 1 March 1808 – 17 June 1810 | |
| Preceded by | Position Established |
| Succeeded by | Karl von Hake |
| Chief of the Prussian General Staff | |
| In office 1 March 1808 – 17 June 1810 | |
| Preceded by | Position Established |
| Succeeded by | Karl von Hake |
| In office March 1813 – 28 June 1813 | |
| Preceded by | Gustav von Rauch |
| Succeeded by | August von Gneisenau |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Gerhard Johann David von Scharnhorst 12 November 1755 Bordenau, Electorate of Hanover, Holy Roman Empire |
| Died | 28 June 1813 (aged 57) Prague, Kingdom of Bohemia, Austrian Empire |
| Resting place | Invalidenfriedhof |
| Awards | Pour le Mérite |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Prussia |
| Branch/service |  Prussian Army |
| Years of service | 1778–1813 |
| Rank | Generalleutnant |
| Battles/wars | |
Gerhard Johann David von Scharnhorst (12 November 1755 – 28 June 1813) was a Hanoverian-born general in Prussian service from 1801. As the first Chief of the Prussian General Staff, he was noted for his military theories, his reforms of the Prussian army, and his leadership during the Napoleonic Wars. Scharnhorst limited the use of corporal punishments, established promotion for merit, abolished the enrollment of foreigners, began the organization of a reserve army, and organized and simplified the military administration.