Bernadotte, Jean Baptiste
Bernadotte, Jean Baptiste
Born Jan. 26, 1763, in Pau; died Mar. 8, 1844, in Stockholm. Marshal of France (1804). King of Sweden from 1818 to 1844 under the name of Charles XIV John (Carl XIV Johan), founder of the Bernadotte dynasty.
During the wars of revolutionary France he advanced to the post of division commander and commanded a corps in Napoleon’s army. He won popularity in Sweden by liberating Swedish prisoners captured in Holland. In 1810, Napoleon forced him into retirement, and in August 1810 the Swedish Riksdag elected him heir to the throne. In 1813 he joined the anti-Napoleonic coalition and fought with the Swedish army against France. His policy toward Russia was friendly.