Austrian field marshal and writer of military manuals; the scion of an Austrian aristocratic family that from the 16th to the 20th century provided the Habsburg monarchy with a number of efficient administrators, generals, and statesmen. Khevenhüller served under Prince Eugene in the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–13); fought in the War of the Polish Succession (1734–35), during which he commanded the army in Italy for a time; and, made field marshal in 1737, fought that September in the Turkish war. During the War of the Austrian Succession (Austrian Succession, War of the) (1740–48), he commanded the Army of the Danube and successfully opposed the French and the Bavarians. In 1742 he overran Bavaria and captured Munich.

Khevenhüller's military textbooks were forerunners of the type of technical handbook later used by most armies for regimental officers and soldiers.