Friedrich Kettler

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Friedrich Kettler (born 25 November 1569 in Mītava (German Mitau, now Jelgava), died 17 August 1642) was a Duke of Courland (Latvian: Kurzeme), a region in Latvia, from 1587 to 1642. He was the son of Gotthard Kettler. Until 1616, he ruled only the western Zemgale portion of the Duchy of Courland, while his younger brother Wilhelm Kettler ruled the eastern Courland portion. Friedrich ruled the entire Duchy from 1616 when his brother emigrated due to conflicts with the nobility.