Karl Friedrich Hieronymus, Freiherr von Münchhausen (; 11 May 1720 – 22 February 1797), usually known as Baron Münchhausen in English, was a German nobleman born in Bodenwerder (Electorate Brunswick-Lüneburg) and a famous recounter of tall tales. In his youth Baron Hieronymus was sent to serve as page to Duke Anthony Ulrich II of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, and later joined the Russian military. He served until 1750, in particular taking part in two campaigns against the Ottoman Turks. Returning home, Münchhausen supposedly told a number of outrageously farfetched stories about his adventures. He died in his birthplace of Bodenwerder.