Frederick Francis I (10 December 1756 – 1 February 1837) ruled over the German state of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, first as duke (1785–1815), and then as grand duke (1815–1837).

Frederick Francis I
Frederick Francis I, as Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin in swedish uniform with the Royal Order of the Seraphim. Painted by Wilhelm August Christian Abel 1803.
Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Reign14 June 1815 – 1 February 1837
PredecessorHimself as Duke
SuccessorPaul Frederick
Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Reign21 April 1785 – 14 June 1815
PredecessorFrederick II
SuccessorHimself as Grand Duke
Born(1756-12-10)10 December 1756
Schwerin, Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Died1 February 1837(1837-02-01) (aged 80)
Ludwigslust, Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Burial
SpousePrincess Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
Issue
Among others
Frederick Louis, Hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Louise Charlotte, Hereditary Princess of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
Duke Gustav Wilhelm
Charlotte Frederica, Hereditary Princess of Denmark
HouseMecklenburg-Schwerin
FatherDuke Louis of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
MotherPrincess Charlotte Sophie of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld
ReligionLutheranism

Biography

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Fredrick Francis I, in uniform, wearing the Star and Sasch of the Prussian Order of the Black Eagle and the Order of the Red Eagle around the neck. Portrait by Rudolph Suhrlandt (1817).

He was born in Schwerin, Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, to Duke Louis of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Princess Charlotte Sophie of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. Friedrich Franz succeeded his uncle Friedrich as duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin in 1785.

Following the Napoleonic Wars, Friedrich Franz was raised to the dignity of grand duke at the Congress of Vienna.[1] Along with his cousin in Mecklenburg-Strelitz, he was known as one of the most reactionary German rulers. On his death in 1837 he was succeeded by his grandson, Grand Duke Paul Friedrich.

Marriage and children

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On 1 June 1775 in Gotha, Friedrich Franz married Princess Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg.[citation needed] They had eight children:

References

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  1. ^ Haydn, Joseph (1855). History of the Wars of the French Revolution. Bangs. p. 555.
  2. ^ a b Schelfkirche St. Nikolai zu Schwerin in: worldhistory.de [retrieved 2 March 2017].
Frederick Francis I
Cadet branch of the House of Mecklenburg
Born: 10 December 1756 Died: 1 February 1837
Regnal titles
Preceded by Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
1785–1815
Became Grand Duke
New title
Previously duke
Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
1815–1837
Succeeded by