Friedrich Franz I, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
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Frederick Francis (Friedrich Franz) I, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (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).
He was born in Schwerin to Ludwig, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Charlotte Sophie, Duchess of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. Friedrich Franz succeeded his uncle Friedrich as Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin in 1785.
On 1 June 1775 Friedrich Franz married Luise of Saxe-Gotha. They had six children:
- Hereditary Prince Friedrich Ludwig of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (13 June 1778 - 29 November 1819). He married Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna of Russia, a daughter of Paul I of Russia and Sophie Marie Dorothea of Württemberg. They were parents of Paul Friedrich, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
- Louise Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (19 November 1779 - 4 January 1801). Married Emil Leopold August, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg. They were parents to Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, mother of Prince Consort Albert. Friedrich Franz thus is one of the ancestors of Queen Elizabeth II and the British Royal Family.
- Gustav Wilhelm of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (31 January 1781 - 10 January 1851).
- Karl of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (2 July 1782 - 22 May 1833).
- Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (4 December 1784 - 13 July 1840). Married Christian VIII of Denmark. They were parents to Frederick VII of Denmark.
- Adolf of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (18 December 1785 - 8 May 1821).
Following the Napoleonic Wars, Friedrich Franz raised himself to the dignity of Grand Duke. Along with his cousin of 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.
| House of Mecklenburg Born: 10 December 1756 Died: 1 February 1837 |
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|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Friedrich II |
Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin 1785–1815 |
Became Grand Duke |
| New Title Previously Duke |
Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin 1815–1837 |
Succeeded by Paul Friedrich |
