Joseph Cornelius O'Rourke
Count Joseph Cornelius O'Rourke (Russian: Иосиф Корнилович Орурк; also Ioseph Kornilovich O'Rourke; 1772–1849) was a Russian nobleman and military leader of Irish origin who fought in the Napoleonic Wars and achieved the rank of lieutenant general. He is noted for leading a campaign against the Turks in present-day Serbia, where a combined Russian and Serb army defeated the Ottoman Empire at Varvarin in 1810.
Joseph Cornelius O'Rourke | |
|---|---|
Portrait by George Dawe | |
| Birth name | Iosif Kornilovich Orurk |
| Born | 1772 Dorpat, Russian Empire |
| Died | 1849 (aged 76–77) Vselyub, Novogrudsky Uyezd, Grodno Governorate, Russian Empire |
| Allegiance | Russian Empire |
| Service/ | Cavalry |
| Years of service | 1776–1849 |
| Rank | General of the Cavalry |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Varvarin |
O'Rourke was awarded the orders of Saint George, Alexander Nevsky, and Saint Anne for his military victories. His portrait was included in the Military Gallery of the Winter Palace, now part of the Hermitage Museum. A monument commemorating O'Rourke and his men was erected in Varvarin in 1910 on the centennial celebration of their victory against the Turks.