Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin von, Baron (1730–1794)

Prussian military leader in the American Revolution 1775–83. After joining George Washington at Valley Forge 1778, he was named inspector general of the Continental Army. He later saw action in the South and was present at the victory of Yorktown 1781.

Born in Prussia, Steuben began his military career in the Seven Years' War 1756–63. After leaving active duty 1763, he was a functionary in the court of Hohenzollern-Hechingen 1764–75 and was made a baron. He left Europe to seek employment as an officer in the American Revolution.