Jan Van Horne (23 May 1811 - 6 August 1886) was a Brunanter military officer, diplomat and politician. He fought in the Crimean War, was ambassador to France twice and served in the House of Representatives.
Biography[]
Military career[]
Van Horne was born into a wealthy military and political family. His uncle Willem was Mayor of Koningstad and his father was a colonel in the Royal Guard.
Jan also became a soldier with the Royal Guard and eventually raised up to the rank of general in 1852. From 1853-1856, Van Horne led a Brunanter expeditionary force to the Crimean War, which was ordered by President Jan Van Draak. Van Draak convinced King Cristian I to side with France, Sardinia and the United Kingdom to strengthen Franco-Brunanter and Anglo-Brunanter alliances. Van Horne led the 5,000 Brunanters at the Battle of the Alma, the Siege of Sevastopol and the Battle of Eupatoria. He was awarded the first Crimean War Medal ever issued.
Political career[]
Van Horne retired from active military duty in 1862. After this, he was ambassador to France from 1866-1871 and 1875-1880. A Catholic conservative, he openly criticized Filip Van Buskirk during his presidencies. Van Horne wanted to become Minister of Foreign Affairs, but was never granted a governmental position. In 1882, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the White Party, where he served until his death in 1886.