Person

Karl Heinrich von Nassau-Siegen

a French-born fortune-seeker best known as Catherine II's least successful naval commander

b. 1743 CE – d. 1808 CE World The Great Crossroads

Karl Heinrich von Nassau-Siegen (January 5, 1743 – April 10, 1808), is a French-born fortune-seeker best known as Catherine II's least successful naval commander.

Charles Henry, in Catherine II's own words, "had everywhere the reputation of a crazy fellow".

He sails around the world with Bougainville, "fought tigers bare-handed" in Central Africa and reportedly seduced the Queen of Tahiti.

His tiger hunt is the subject of a vast canvas by Francesco Casanova.

 

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Cite this entry

Moran, J. (2017). Karl Heinrich von Nassau-Siegen. History Atlas. Retrieved 6 October 2026, from https://www.historyatlas.com/people/karl-heinrich-von-nassau-siegen/

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