Adam Friedrich von Seinsheim (1708–1779) was the Prince-Bishop of Würzburg from 1755 to 1779 and Prince-Bishop of Bamberg from 1757 to 1779.
Adam Friedrich von Seinsheim was born in Regensburg on February 16, 1708, the son of Maximilian Franz Graf von Seinsheim (1681-1739) and his wife Anna Philippina Gräfin von Schönborn (1685-1721).[1] His mother was the sister of Franz Georg von Schönborn, Archbishop-Elector of Trier; Friedrich Karl von Schönborn, Prince-Bishop of Bamberg and Würzburg; and Damian Hugo Philipp von Schönborn, Prince-Bishop of Speyer.[2]
He became a canon of Bamberg Cathedral and Würzburg Cathedral in 1718.[3] He studied Christian theology at the University of Salzburg (master's degree 1724) and at the Collegium Germanicum 1725-27; and law at the University of Würzburg and Leiden University.[4] In 1747, he became provost of the Church of St. Gangolf in Bamberg.[5] He was ordained as a priest on September 29, 1753.[6]
The cathedral chapter of Würzburg Cathedral unanimously elected him Prince-Bishop of Würzburg on January 7, 1755, with Pope Benedict XIV confirming his appointment on March 17, 1755.[7] He was consecrated as a bishop by Cardinal Franz Christoph von Hutten zu Stolzenfels, Prince-Bishop of Speyer, on June 15, 1755.[8] At the insistence of Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor, he was elected Prince-Bishop of Bamberg on April 21, 1757, thus creating a personal union between the Prince-Bishopric of Würzburg and the Prince-Bishopric of Bamberg.[9] The pope confirmed this appointment on May 23, 1757.[10]
Adam Friedrich von Seinsheim supported the imperial side during the Seven Years' War.[11] Troops from the Kingdom of Prussia invaded both bishoprics during the course of this war.[12]
He died of pneumonia in Würzburg on February 18, 1779 and is buried there.[13]
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Karl Philipp von Greiffenklau |
Prince-Bishop of Würzburg 1755–1779 |
Succeeded by Franz Ludwig von Erthal |
| Preceded by Franz Konrad von Stadion und Thannhausen |
Prince-Bishop of Bamberg 1757–1779 |
Succeeded by Franz Ludwig von Erthal |