John Sobieski III
John III, or John Sobieski, (1624–1696), king of Poland, 1674–96. John, the last important Polish king, saved Vienna from capture by the Ottoman Turks in 1683. Leading a combined Austrian and Polish army, he defeated the enemy just outside the city's walls. In later fighting the Turks suffered many setbacks, but John gained very little territory for Poland.
Sobieski was born of a wealthy and noble family. He became an army officer and in 1668 was named commander in chief of the Polish army. Soon after defeating the Turks at the battle of Khotin in 1673, Sobieski was elected king.