Pierre François Xavier Boyer, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death
TweetPierre François Xavier Boyer
French soldier
Date of Birth: 
Place of Birth: Belfort, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
About Pierre François Xavier Boyer
- Pierre François Xavier Boyer (7 September 1772 – 11 July 1851) became a French division commander during the Napoleonic Wars.
- He joined a volunteer regiment in 1792.
- He fought in the Italian campaign of 1796 and participated in the French invasion of Egypt in 1798.
- He became a general of brigade in 1801 and took part in the Expedition to Saint-Domingue in 1802.
- While sailing back to France he was captured by the British.
- After being exchanged, he fought at Jena and Pultusk in 1806, Friedland in 1807 and Wagram in 1809.
- Transferred to Spain, Boyer led a dragoon division at Salamanca and Battle of Venta del Pozo in 1812 and Vitoria in 1813.
- He earned the nickname "Pedro the Cruel" for brutal actions against Spanish partisans.
- He led an infantry division at the Nivelle and the Nive in late 1813.
- His division was transferred to the fighting near Paris and he was promoted general of division in February 1814.
- He led his troops at Mormant, Craonne, Laon and Arcis-sur-Aube. Because Boyer rallied to Napoleon during the Hundred Days, he was compelled to flee to Germany for a short time.
- After he was retired in 1824, he helped train the army of Muhammad Ali of Egypt.
- Restored to active service after the July Revolution of 1830, he was placed in command of Oran during the French conquest of Algeria.
- His superior complained about his harshness toward the local people, but Boyer was not relieved until 1833.
- He retired from active service in 1839 and died in 1851.
- BOYER is one of the names inscribed under the Arc de Triomphe, on Column 7.
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