Born on September 16th 1745
12 years old, entered the St-Petersburg artillery and engineering school as corporal.
Graduated in 1759, spoke Russian, French, German, English, Polish, Swedish and Turkish.
In 1762 promoted to captain and made company commander in the Astrakhan infantry regiment under General Alexander Suvorov.
His ability to progress very fast in ranks has been attributed both to his good education and his father’s position.
1764-1765 assigned to fight Polish rebels (Death of king Augustus III, coup d’état and ascension to the throne of Stanislaw Poniatowski, supported by Russian troops)
Actively participated in the Russo-Turkish War of 1768-1774.
Lost his right eye at the siege of Alushta (1774)
Travelled around Europe (1774-1776) (met Frederick II)
Promoted major-general (1784)
Distinguished himself at the Russo-Turkish war of 1787-1792 (battle of Rymnik and Mashin, sieges of Ochakov, Ismail, Bender, Odessa.)
Favorite of Paul I, after his assassination he was well viewed by the new Russian Tsar (Alexander I).
Commanded the Russian army in the war of the third coalition (1805)
Led the battles of Dürenstein (November 11, 1805) (indecisive-victory), Austerlitz (December 2nd 1805) (defeat)
He advised the Tsar to stay on the plateau (Pratzen)and to defend from there. Alexander said that in contrary, they should go down and attack the villages on Puntowitz and Tellnitz. (It lead to the Austro-Russian defeat).
Was the commander of the forces during the Russo-Turkish War of 1806-1812. (After the victory, Treaty of Bucharest, he was made kniaz (prince) by the tsar.
During the Patriotic War of 1812 (Napoleon's Invasion of Russia), Kutuzov was appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian Army (August 17th 1812) after Barclay de Tolly was relieved from his command due to distrust from the Tsar and other generals.
He nevertheless continued the scorched earth policy which was adopted by de Tolly and continued the organised retreat of the Russian army.
Because of low morale of troops and its anger regarding the continuous retreat without any fight, Kutuzov decided to made his stand near the town of Borodino, 120 km from Moscow.
He commanded the Russian army during the battle of Borodino, the bloodiest single-day battle ever fought. (until the battle of the Somme) More than 250 000 participated in the battle and losses were somewhat equal for both sides (35-40 000 for the French, 40-45 000 for the Russians)
After the battle, he decided that his army shall retreat and at Fili (conference), where he appointed his chief of staff and other generals he made the decision to leave Moscow with a fight in order to save the Russian army as long as possible.
September 11, promote to Field Marshal.
•He placed his army on the southern road (Kaluga) to prevent the French from escaping out of Moscow.
•When Napoleon started his retreat (October 24th), Kutuzov made his stand at the village of Maloyaroslavets to prevent the French genius to get new supplies and to escape through the southern not- ravaged road (Kaluga).
•Initially, the Russian army retreated and the French were victorious. But they soon realized that they could not retreat through this road and will suffer horrendous losses
(6 000 at Maloyaroslavets). Napoleon decided to retreat through the Smolensk road.
•Russian forces harassed the French stragglers and soldiers until they reached the border.
•He held the title of Serene Prince (Kniaz) of Smolensk (Светлейший князь Смоленский).
•When the war of the sixth coalition began, he was designate to be the commander of the army of Poland.
•Caught cold in Bunzlau (now Poland), and died on April 28th 1813.

Quote: If my pillow knew my plans, I would not sleep on it.