Kurt Christoph von Schwerin

Kurt Christoph von Schwerin (1684–1757) was a Prussian field marshal under Frederick the Great. After soldiering in Dutch and Mecklenburg ranks, he entered Prussian service in 1720, and in 1730 sat on the court martial that tried Crown Prince Frederick for desertion.

Promoted field marshal and count on Frederick's accession, he saved the campaign at Mollwitz in April 1741: he persuaded Frederick to leave the wavering field and converted it into the victory that secured Silesia.

He later took part in the siege and capture of Prague in 1744. On 6 May 1757, leading a regiment with its colours at Prague, he was killed by a cannonball.