Christopher Ludwick - Revolutionary Baker and Spy

Christopher Ludwick (sometimes spelled Ludwig) was a German immigrant to Philadelphia who served as Baker General for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.  He was born in 1720 in Germany and became interested in continuing his father's business as a baker.  He became a soldier at 17 and served in various European armies. 


In 1743, he arrived in Philadelphia  and expanded his business as a gingerbread baker and confectioner located in Letitia Court where he became very successful selling his gingerbread and other desserts. Soon, he owned several homes in the Philadelphia area plus a farm in Germantown, Pennsylvania. 

By 1774, he had embraced the cause of the American Revolution for independence from Great Britain.  On May 3, 1777, to ensure that the Continental Army was well supplied with bread, its most basic staple, General George Washington appointed Christopher Ludwick as "Baker-General".  However, he refused to take any payment for his efforts, saying in his own words, 

"No, gentlemen, I will not accept of your commission upon any such terms. I do not want to get rich by the war. I have enough money. I will furnish 135 pounds of bread for every 100 pounds of flour you put into my hands."

After the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, General George Washington ordered that Ludwick be responsible for feeding his hungry men. Ludwick baked 6,000 pounds of bread in one day with the help of his wife, Catherine England Ludwick. 

In addition to serving Washington as a baker, he also served as a valuable spy. Because his native language was German, he was able to infiltrate a Hessian camp on Staten Island. There he was able to persuade his former countrymen to abandon the British cause and join the Americans. 

After the war, Ludwick spent a good deal of his later life in service to others. In 1793, the city of Philadelphia was hit hard by the yellow fever epidemic. Ludwick worked tirelessly at baking bread, for no charge, to feed those who were sick or poor. Ludwick was determined to help relieve the suffering of others.

For more information on Christopher Ludwick, read 

Ludwick's gingerbread molds

Gingerbread for Liberty: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution

Also, watch "A Taste of History" with Chef Walter Staib as he explores the bread that Christopher Ludwick would have made for the troops.  This is available on demand on most PBS stations.

Finally, explore the many ways that bread has been used across the country to create regional favorites: Chef Cappy's Kitchen - Food from 50 States by Renee Heiss.