Gregory Brown
513 Agnes Arnold Hall
Department of Philosophy
University of Houston
Houston, TX 77204-3004

Ferdinand
(1721-1792)

Duke of Brunswick - Wolfenbüttel

Ferdinand was a younger brother of the ruling duke Karl I. (1713-1780).  His father, duke Ferdinand Albrecht II. (1680-1735), only ruled for half a year in the principality of Brunswick - Wolfenbüttel.  The picture above shows duke Ferdinand when he had retired in 1767 to his castle Vechelde in the principality of Brunswick.  In his youth Ferdinand received an outstanding education, particularly in military science.  When he was nineteen years old, his brother-in-law, king Friedrich II. the Great of Prussia (1712-1786), appointed him colonel of the Prussian troops stationed in the principality of Brunswick.  Friedrich II. was his teacher and personally trained him in strategy and tactics. Beginning in 1741 he accompanied King Friedrich II. in the First Silesian War to the various theaters of operation.  When promoted to general major, he greatly distinguished himself in the Second Silesian War.  After the peace of Dresden in 1745, duke Ferdinand sat next to king Friedrich II. in the coach when the victorious Prussian troops entered Berlin.  He was considered one of the most successful generals of the 18th century.  However, Ferdinand received higher distinction in the Seven Years' War.  Under his supreme command the French were driven out of North Germany, in 1759 at Minden and in 1762 at Wilhelmsthal, and he therewith personally contributed to Great Britain's ability to win the French colonies in America for itself.  In 1766 his relation with King Friedrich II. of Prussia became strained, and duke Ferdinand took his leave from the Prussian army.   In 1767 the very wealth duke Ferdinand received the castle Vechelde. Here he pursued his many-faceted intellectual interests.  Duke Ferdinand died a bachelor in his castle in 1792 and in the end left behind  high debts.

--Adapted from the website, Die Welfen

Sources

  • The Encyclopedia Britannica, 13th edition.  New York: The Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 1926.
  • Oxford Illustrated Encyclopedia.  Ed. Harry Judge.  New York: Oxford University Press, 1988.
  • Fürst, R. and W. Kelsch.  Wolfenbüttel: Ein Fürstenhaus und seine Residenz.  Wolfenbüttel, 1990.

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