Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim

Baron Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim (June 4, 1867 – January 28, 1951) was the reputed Commander-in-Chief of Finland's Defence Forces, Marshal of Finland, an astute politician, a successful military commander and was later President of Finland (1944–1946).

Ancestry

The Mannerheim family descended from a Dutch businessman and mill owner, Henrik Marhein, who emigrated to Gävle in Sweden. His son, Augustin Marhein, was raised to the nobility in 1693, with his surname later becoming Mannerheim. His son, an artillery colonel and a mill supervisor, Johan Augustin Mannerheim, was raised to the status of Baron at the same time as his brother in 1768. The Mannerheim family came to Finland in the latter part of 18th century.

Related Topics:
Mannerheim family - Gävle - Sweden - 1693 - Baron - 1768

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mannerheim's great-grandfather, Count Carl Erik Mannerheim, had held a number of offices in Finland's civil service during the early years of the semi-autonomous Russian Grand Duchy of Finland, including membership of the Senate. Mannerheim's father, Count Carl Robert (1835-1914), was a poet, writer and businessman. His businesses were not successful though, and he eventually became bankrupt. He later moved to Paris and lived the life of an artist. Mannerheim's mother, Hedvig Charlotta (Hélène) von Julin (1842-1881), was a member of the wealthy von Julin family. Louhisaari had to be sold in 1880 to cover the debts of Count Carl Robert, and the following year his wife died, leaving their children to be brought up by relatives.

Related Topics:
Grand Duchy of Finland - Senate - 1835 - 1914 - 1842 - 1881 - 1880

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Due to the worsened economic situation of the family, Mannerheim was sent to the school of the Finnish Cadet Corps in Hamina in 1882, at the age of 15. He was later expelled for breaches of discipline in 1886. He then attended the Helsinki Private Lyceum, passing his university entrance examinations in June 1887. Immediately after that he left for Saint Petersburg, where he was accepted into the Nicholas Cavalry School. At that time Finland was a Grand Duchy in personal union with Russia. He graduated in 1889, was promoted to the rank of Cornet, and was posted with the 15th Alexandria Dragoon Regiment in Poland while waiting for a position to become available with the Chevalier Guards.

Related Topics:
Hamina - 1882 - 1886 - 1887 - Saint Petersburg - Grand Duchy - Personal union - Russia - 1889 - Cornet - Poland

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~