Alexander Suvorov

Russian marshal (1730–1800)

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Lived 1730–1800, aged 70

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Wikipedia
68 languages
Cross-language footprint
Era
1730–1800
Aged 70
Awards
19
recognised works

Summary

Updated 2026-06-08

A general who never lost a major battle in a career spanning half a century, Suvorov stormed Turkish fortresses, crushed Polish uprisings, and led a starving army through the Alps in winter to escape a French trap—emerging with a promotion to the highest rank in Russian military history.

Biography

About

Born in Moscow in 1729 or 1730, Suvorov studied military history as a boy and joined the Imperial Russian Army at seventeen. He made colonel during the Seven Years' War, then built his reputation capturing cities in Poland and defeating Ottoman forces twice at Turtukaya and decisively at Kozludzha in the 1768–1774 Russo-Turkish War. His storming of Izmail and victories at Focșani and Rymnik in the 1787–1792 war established him as Europe's most brilliant general. After putting down the Polish uprising in 1794, he fell out with Tsar Paul I, only to be recalled as field marshal when the French Re…

Voice

In their own words

Sourced, dated quotes from Alexander Suvorov

Alexander Suvorov

said1796

The bullet is a mad thing; only the bayonet knows what it is about.

— From "The Science of Victory," 1796.

Alexander Suvorov

said15 Oct 1794

It is very difficult to do one's duty. I was considered a barbarian because at the storming of the Praga 7,000 people were killed. Europe says that I am a monster.

— About the Polish deaths in the storming of the fortified Praga suburb in Warsaw on October 15, 1794, during the Polish revolt, quotes in

Alexander Suvorov

said1787