Born in 1768, Édouard Mortier began his military career in 1789. He joined the National Guard and in two years was promoted to Captain. During 1792-94, the future Marshal was in the Northern army, from 1794-97, he fought with Sambre and Meuse armies, and in 1799, with the Helvetia, Danube, and Rhine armies.
Mortier distinguished himself in a number of battles. In 1795, he was promoted to Colonel, and by the end of 1799 was named General of Divisions. After 1800, he was put in command of one of the military districts, and three years later, the Hanover Occupation Corps. Édouard Mortier was appointed Governor of this territory as well as Marshal in 1804.
This brave commander broke loose from Kutusov's troops during the campaign of 1806 at Friedland, leading the left wing of the French army. After being moved to Spain, he crushed superior enemy forces at Ocana and made notable contributions to the seizure of Zaragoza and Badajoz.
After his return to France in 1812, Marshal Mortier was appointed Commander of the Young Guard Infantry. During the Russian campaign, he took over the administration of Moscow. In the 1813-14 campaign, he lead two divisions of the Old Guard. When Napoleon was defeated the first time, Mortier was one of a minority who advised the Emperor of the futility of further operations. After the restoration, he was taken on by the Bourbons.
After the final overthrow of Bonaparte, Mortier took up a number of high offices and was The Grand Chancellor of the Legion of Honor. In the year 1835 in Paris during the attempt on life of King Louis Philippe, Édouard Mortier was mortally wounded by a bomb.