Frederick Francis III, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Frederick Francis III
Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Reign 15 April 1883 - 10 April 1897
Born March 19, 1851(1851-03-19)
Birthplace Ludwigslust
Died April 10, 1897 (aged 46)
Place of death Cannes
Predecessor Frederick Francis II
Successor Frederick Francis IV
Consort Anastasia Mikhailovna of Russia
Royal House Mecklenburg
Father Frederick Francis II
Mother Auguste of Reuss

Friedrich Franz III (19 March 1851 – 10 April 1897) was the penultimate Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

Contents

[edit] Biography

He was born in Schloss Ludwigslust the son of Friedrich Franz II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and his first wife Princess Auguste of Reuss. He succeeded his father as Grand Duke on the 15 April 1883.

From an early age Friedrich Franz sufferd from asthma and severe breathing difficulties. He could not live in the North of Europe and lived on the banks of the Mediterranian sea where the mild climate agreed with him.

Friedrich Franz death on 10 April 1897 is shrouded in uncertainty as he was originally reported to have committed suicide by throwing himself off a parapet of a bridge.[1] However according to the official account of his death he was in his garden when he experienced breathing difficulties and staggered around before falling over a low wall.[2] He was succeeded by his son Friedrich Franz IV who would be the last Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin although Duke Johann Albrecht of Mecklenburg would act as regent until Friedrich Franz IV came of age.

The death through suicide would have been a scandal, barring Friedrich Franz from a christian burial and limiting the chances of a marriage for members of his dynasty. His death may have been an accident but a suicide would have been hushed up by the Mecklenburg court.

[edit] Marriage and children

Friedrich Franz married Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna of Russia (1860-1922) in St.Petersburg on the 24 January 1879 and they had three children:

[edit] References

  1. ^ "The Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin Shown to Have Committed Suicide", New York Times, 1897-04-13. Retrieved on 2007-10-23. 
  2. ^ "The Grand Duke of Mecklenburg Schwerin Did Not Commit Suicide", New York Times, 1897-04-15. Retrieved on 2007-10-23. 

[edit] External links

Frederick Francis III, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Born: 19 March 1851 Died: 10 April 1897
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Friedrich Franz II		 Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
1883–1897		 Succeeded by
Friedrich Franz IV