Leopold I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau

This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (March 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Leopold I
Prince of Anhalt-Dessau
Prince of Anhalt-Dessau
Reign	7 August 1693 – 7 April 1747
Predecessor	John George II
Successor	Leopold II
Born	3 July 1676 Dessau, Anhalt-Dessau
Died	7 April 1747(1747-04-07) (aged 70) Dessau, Anhalt-Dessau
Spouse	Anna Louise Föhse
Issue	William Gustav, Hereditary Prince of Anhalt-Dessau Leopold II, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau Prince Dietrich, later Regent Prince Frederick Henry Eugen Princess Henriette Marie Louise Louise, Princess of Anhalt-Bernburg Prince Maurice Princess Anna Wilhelmine Leopoldine Marie, Margravine of Brandenburg-Schwedt Princess Henriette Amalie John Georg Henry von Berenhorst Karl Franz von Berenhorst
House	Ascania
Father	John George II, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau
Mother	Henriette Catherine of Nassau
Signature

Leopold I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau (3 July 1676 – 7 April 1747) was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the Principality of Anhalt-Dessau from 1693 to 1747. He was also a Generalfeldmarschall in the Prussian Army. Nicknamed "the Old Dessauer" (German: der alte Dessauer), he possessed good abilities as a field commander, but was mainly remembered as a talented drillmaster who modernized the Prussian infantry.

Appointed by Frederick I to the rank of field marshal in 1712, Leopold distinguished himself for his success during the War of the Spanish Succession. He was later appointed the commander of the Prussian-Saxon army during the Great Northern War against Sweden. Leopold was a personal friend of Frederick William I. The last great achievement of his military career was commanding the Prussian troops to victory over the Saxons at the Battle of Kesselsdorf in 1745 during the Second Silesian War.