Georg von und zu Franckenstein

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Georg Freiherr von und zu Franckenstein (later Sir George Franckenstein) (1878 - 15 October 1953) was a son of Karl Freiherr von und zu Franckenstein (1831-1898) and his wife, Elma née Gräfin von Schönborn-Wiesentheid (1841-1884).

Born in Austria, he became the Austrian Ambassador to the Court of St. James's. He occupied this position for eighteen years. When the Nazis took over Austria in 1938 and recalled him, he disregarded their orders, instead staying in London. He was naturalized a British subject, and knighted on 26 July 1938. He married Editha King on 31 July 1939, by whom he had a son, actor Clement von Franckenstein, in 1944. George and Editha were killed together in a plane crash on 15 October 1953, and their son was raised by their British friends.

Georg was a brother of composer Clemens von und zu Franckenstein.