Franz von Weyrother

Franz von Weyrother (1755 - February 16, 1806), was an Austrian general during the French Revolutionary Wars and Napoleonic wars.

Franz von Weyrother was born in Vienna as the son of general of cavalry Adam von Weyrother. Weyrother entered the 22nd Infantry Regiment of Lacy as a cadet in 1775. He was promoted two year later to lieutenant. In August 1778 he was appointed aide-de-camp to Wenzel Colloredo serving in that capacity until 1783.

As a lieutenant he participated in the Austro-Turkish War under Browne. During the early phase of the French Revolutionary Wars Weyrother served in Mainz. Promoted to major in 1795, Weyrother was wounded at Weisenau.

After his recovery he was send to the Army of the Rhine under the Archduke Charles. In 1795 he was made a knight in the Military Order of Maria Theresia. In September 1796 Weyrother was transferred to Northern Italy where he fought in the battle of Bassano under József Alvinczi. During the campaign of 1799 Weyrother served as chief of staff to the General Pál Kray, where he distinguished himself at Legnano (March 26), Magnano (April 5) and Novi. For his conduct in these battles he was promoted to colonel and given command of the 7th Infantry Regiment and he was mentioned in dispatches to the Emperor by Alexander Suvorov. At the battle of Hohenlinden, Weyrother served as chief of staff to Archduke Johann.

When the War of the Third Coalition broke out, Weyrother was promoted to major-general and at the request of Kutusov he was made chief of staff of the Austro-Russian army. In this capacity he was responsible for the conception of the allied battle plan which was defeated by Napoleon at Austerlitz. Two and a half months after the battle, Weyrother died aged 51 in Vienna.