Born in 1769 in Lorraine, Michel Ney was not of noble birth. At the age of 19, he joined the Hussar regiment as a private and by 1792 was promoted to Lieutenant.
During 1792-94, Ney fought with the Northern army and, from 1794-96, with Sambre's and Meuse's armies. More than once, he distinguished himself as a dashing fighter and in 1796 was appointed General of Brigades, and in 1799, General of Divisions. Due to his advantageous marriage in 1802, the future Prince of Moscow joined the "Bonaparte Clan".
In 1805 as Marshal, Ney took command of VI Corps of the Grand Army and acted decisively and successfully during the campaign of 1806-07. At Elchingen, he was given the title of Duc d'Elchingen, and the nickname of "Bravest of the Brave"", given by Napoleon himself.
During the Russian campaign, Marshal Ney was put in command of III Corps and participated in battles at Smolensk, Borodino, Vyazma, and won the title of Prince of Moscow. In the years 1813-14, he fought at Lutzen, Bautzen, Leipzig and others. After 1814, he was appointed Commander of the 1st Voltigeur Division of the Young Guard. After the restoration of the Bourbons, Michel Ney became even stronger.
When Napoleon returned from exile, he joined the Emperor's ranks and was put in command of part of the Belgian Army. Ney lost the battle at Quatre Bras and acted ineffectively at Waterloo. After Napoleon's eventual overthrow, the ex-marshal was arrested, sentenced by the "Chamber of Peers," and shot in 1815.