Mannerheim, Carl Gustaf Emil von (1867-1951), was an important Finnish military and political leader. Mannerheim helped found the Republic of Finland in 1919. He later directed the Finnish defense against Russian invaders in the Russo-Finnish wars between 1939 and 1944. Mannerheim also served as president of Finland from 1944 to 1946.
Mannerheim was born on June 4, 1867, at Louhisaari Manor, his family’s estate on the southwest coast of Finland. At that time, Finland was under Russian control. Mannerheim became an officer in the Russian army in 1889. He served in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) and reached the rank of lieutenant general during World War I (1914-1918). In November 1917, Communist forces took control of Russia, and Mannerheim left the Russian army.
Finland declared its independence from Russia in December 1917. In January 1918, Mannerheim took command of White (anti-Communist) Finnish troops in a brief but bloody civil war against Red (Communist) Finnish and Russian troops. The war ended in a White victory in May. In December, Mannerheim became regent (temporary ruler) of Finland. As regent, he toured Europe seeking recognition for his country and food for his people. Mannerheim also oversaw the creation of a new Finnish constitution—and new republic—in July 1919.
Mannerheim attempted to become the nation’s first president but was unsuccessful. In August 1919, he retired from public life until the 1930’s, when he again took command of the Finnish army. He organized a system of defenses across Karelia , a large region southeast of present-day Finland. This so-called Mannerheim Line saw heavy fighting during the Russo-Finnish wars.
Mannerheim became Finland’s president on Aug. 4, 1944. In September, he helped arrange an armistice (agreement to end fighting) with the Soviet Union . In March 1946, poor health forced Mannerheim to retire as president. He died on Jan. 27, 1951, in Lausanne , Switzerland . He was buried at Hietaniemi cemetery in Helsinki , the Finnish capital. His former residence in Helsinki is now the Mannerheim Museum.
