Ferdinand, 1st Duke of Genoa

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Prince Ferdinand, Duke of Genoa
Born	November 15, 1822(1822-11-15) Florence
Died	February 10, 1855 (aged 32) Turin
Title	Prince of Savoy, Duke of Genoa
Spouse	Princess Elizabeth of Saxony
Parents	Charles Albert of Sardinia and Maria Teresa of Tuscany

Prince Ferdinand Maria Alberto Amedeo Filiberto Vincenzo of Savoy, Duke of Genoa (15 November 1822 - February 10, 1855) was the founder of the Genoa branch of the House of Savoy

Contents 1 Biography 2 Marriage and children 3 Ancestry 4 References

[edit] Biography

Ferdinand was born in Florence the second son of Charles Albert, Prince of Carignan and Maria Teresa of Tuscany. His father was the head of the House of Savoy-Carignan a cadet branch of the House of Savoy. The senior line of the house became extinct in 1831 and his father succeeded as King of Sardinia. With the ascension of his father he was created Duke of Genoa.

During the wars taking place on the Italian peninsula in 1848 and 1849, Ferdinand commanded an army division. After peace was restored in Italy he was appointed general commandment of the artillery and set about making improvements.^[1]

As a result of the Sicilian revolution of independence he was a candidate for the throne. He was the most acceptable candidate to Britain and the British Minister in Turin informed him they would recognise him as king as soon as he took possession of the throne. On 11 July 1848 the national assembly of Sicily unanimously voted to offer him the throne. When the Sicilian deputation arrived to offer him the throne, he was absent from Royal headquarters as he was commanding a division in the army. After Sardinia's defeat to the forces of the Austrian Empire commanded by Joseph Radetzky von Radetz he felt compelled to decline the opportunity to become King of Sicily.^[2]

During the Crimean war he was to be appointed to command the Kingdom of Sardinia's auxiliary corps but his declining health meant he could not take up the posting.^[1]

His health did not recover and he died in Turin at the age thirty two. His one year old son Thomas succeeded to the title Duke of Genoa.

[edit] Marriage and children

Ferdinand married Princess Elizabeth of Saxony on 22 April 1850 in Dresden. They had two children:

• Princess Margherita of Savoy (1851-1926)
• Prince Thomas of Savoy, Duke of Genoa (1854-1931)

[edit] Ancestry

v • d • e Ancestors of Ferdinand, 1st Duke of Genoa

16. Louis Victor, Prince of Carignan               8. Victor Amadeus II, Prince of Carignan                       17. Princess Christine Henriette of Hesse-Rheinfels-Rotenburg               4. Charles Emmanuel, Prince of Carignan                             18. Louis III, Duke of Lorraine-Brionne               9. Josepha of Lorraine-Brionne                       19. Louise of Rohan               2. Charles Albert of Sardinia                                   20. Augustus III of Poland               10. Carl Christian Joseph of Saxony, Duke of Courland                       21. Maria Josepha of Austria               5. Princess Maria Christina of Saxony                             22. Stanislaus von Corvin-Krasinski, Count Krasinski               11. Franziska von Corvin-Krasinski                       23. Anna Humiecka               1. Ferdinand, 1st Duke of Genoa                                         24. Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor               12. Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor                       25. Maria Theresa of Austria               6. Ferdinand III, Grand Duke of Tuscany                             26. Charles III of Spain               13. Maria Louisa of Spain                       27. Maria Amalia of Saxony               3. Maria Theresa of Tuscany                                   28. Charles III of Spain (= 26)               14. Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies                       29. Maria Amalia of Saxony (= 27)               7. Princess Luisa of the Two Sicilies                             30. Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor (= 24)               15. Marie Caroline of Austria                       31. Maria Theresa of Austria (= 25)

[edit] References

New title

Duke of Genoa 1831-1855

Succeeded by Thomas, Duke of Genoa