Frederick Francis I
Frederick Francis I ruled over the German state of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, first as Duke from 1785 to 1815, and then as Grand Duke from 1815 until his death in 1837.
Early life
Frederick Francis I was born in Schwerin, Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, on 10 December 1756. He was the son of Duke Louis of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Princess Charlotte Sophie of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld.His paternal grandparents were Christian Ludwig II, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Duchess Gustave Caroline of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. His maternal grandparents were Franz Josias, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld and Princess Anna Sophie of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt.
Reign
file:Wilhelm August Christian Abel - Friedrich Franz, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin - NMB 113 - Nationalmuseum.jpg|thumb|left|upright|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.In 1785, Friedrich Franz succeeded his uncle Frederick II as Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
Following the Napoleonic Wars, Friedrich Franz was raised to the dignity of Grand Duke at the Congress of Vienna. Along with his cousin in Mecklenburg-Strelitz, he was known as one of the most reactionary German rulers.
Personal life
On 1 June 1775 in Gotha, Friedrich Franz married Princess Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, the fourth and youngest child of Prince John August of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg and Countess Louise Reuss of Schleiz. Together, they had eight children, including:- Frederick Louis, Hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, who married Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna of Russia, a daughter of Paul I of Russia and Duchess Sophie Marie Dorothea of Württemberg.
- Duchess Louise Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, who married Emil Leopold August, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, the second son of Ernst II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg and Princess Charlotte of Saxe-Meiningen.
- Duke Gustav Wilhelm of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, who never married.
- Duke Karl of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
- Duchess Charlotte Frederica of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, who married Christian VIII of Denmark. They were parents to Frederick VII of Denmark.
- Duke Adolf of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.