Barclay de Tolly, Mikhail, Prince (mēkhəyēl`, bərklī` də tô`lyē), 1761–1818, Russian field marshal, of Scottish descent. He gained prominence in the Napoleonic Wars, became minister of war in 1810, and commanded the Russian forces against Napoleon in 1812. His policy of continuous retreat into the heart of Russia and his defeat at Smolensk (Aug. 17–18) resulted in his being replaced by Kutuzov, but his successor, recognizing the soundness of the strategy, followed the same policy. After Kutuzov's death (1813) he again commanded the Russian forces and distinguished himself at Leipzig and in the capture of Paris.

Barclay de Tolly, Mikhail (Bogdanovich), Prince

(born Dec. 13, 1761, Pamuskis, Poland-Lithuania—died May 14, 1818, Insterburg, East Prussia) Russian field marshal prominent in the Napoleonic Wars. A member of a Scottish family that had settled in Livonia, Barclay entered the Russian army in 1786. In 1812 he took command of one of two Russian armies operating against Napoleon. His strategy of avoiding decisive action and retreating into Russia proved unpopular, and he was forced to resign his command. He took part in the invasion of France in 1814, and in 1815 he was commander in chief of the Russian army that invaded France after Napoleon's return from Elba.