Francois Joseph Lefebvre, duke of Dantzic, a French marshal, born at Ruffach, Alsace, Oct. 25, 1755, died in Paris, Sept. 14, 1820. He was the son of a miller who had served in the hussars, enlisted in 1773 as a private soldier, was a sergeant at the commencement of the revolution, was rapidly promoted to the rank of general of division (Jan. 10, 1794), and distinguished himself on many occasions by his bravery, especially at the battle of Fleurus (1794). On June 4, 1796, he led the van of Kleber's army in the attack on the Austrian position at Altenkirchen, and on March 25, 1799, at the battle of Stockach, maintained his ground for several hours with 8,000 men against a force of 36,000 Austrians. Having aided Bonaparte to overturn the directory, he was appointed to the command of the military in and around Paris, became a senator, and in 1804 was made a marshal of France. In 1806 he accompanied Napoleon against Prussia, and in the battle of Jena commanded the foot guards. He was next placed in command of the forces sent to reduce Dantzic, which surrendered May 24, 1807, after a siege of 51 days; and on the 28th he received the title of duke of Dantzic. He subsequently served in the peninsula, was present in 1809 at the battles of Eckmuhl and Wagram, and participated in the Russian expedition as commander of the imperial brigade.

On the downfall of the emperor, Louis XVIII. created him chevalier of St. Louis and a peer of France; but having retained his seat in the imperial senate during the hundred days, he was excluded on the second restoration from the chamber of peers. His rank was restored to him in 1819.