# Frederick I of Prussia > 1657 – 1713, Elector of Brandenburg and Duke of Prussia in personal union (Brandenburg-Prussia) **Wikidata**: [Q151826](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q151826) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_I_of_Prussia) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/frederick-i-of-prussia ## Summary Frederick I of Prussia (1657–1713) was the Elector of Brandenburg and Duke of Prussia, ruling the personal union of Brandenburg-Prussia. He is most notably recognized as the first King in Prussia, having been crowned in 1701, thereby founding the Kingdom of Prussia. ## Biography - Born: July 11, 1657 - Nationality: Germany - Education: No formal education details provided in source material - Known for: Establishing the Kingdom of Prussia and becoming its first monarch - Employer(s): House of Hohenzollern, ruling over Brandenburg-Prussia - Field(s): Politics, monarchy ## Contributions Frederick I of Prussia played a pivotal role in elevating the status of the Hohenzollern territories: - **Establishment of the Kingdom of Prussia (1701)**: Frederick I crowned himself king in Prussia, transforming the status of his domains from a duchy and electorate into a sovereign kingdom. This act established the Kingdom of Prussia as a recognized European power. - **Cultural and institutional development**: He was instrumental in founding key institutions such as: - The **Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences** in 1700. - The **Prussian Academy of Arts** in 1696. These institutions laid the groundwork for intellectual and cultural development in Prussia. - **Military and political leadership**: Frederick I led Brandenburg-Prussia through the War of the Spanish Succession, aligning with Austria and contributing forces to the Grand Alliance. - **Chivalric Orders**: He was associated with several orders, including: - **Order of the Black Eagle**, which he founded in 1701. - **Order of the Garter** (recipient). - **Order of the Elephant** (recipient). - **Patronage of arts and sciences**: Frederick I supported the arts and sciences, contributing to the foundation of cultural institutions and the promotion of learning in his domains. ## FAQs ### What is Frederick I of Prussia known for? Frederick I of Prussia is known for being the first King in Prussia, crowned in 1701, founding the Kingdom of Prussia. He also established the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences and the Prussian Academy of Arts, promoting culture and learning in his realm. ### What institutions did Frederick I of Prussia found? Frederick I founded the **Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences** in 1700 and supported the **Prussian Academy of Arts**, which was established in 1696. Both institutions were central to the cultural and intellectual development of Prussia. ### What chivalric orders was Frederick I associated with? Frederick I was associated with the **Order of the Black Eagle**, which he founded in 1701, and was also a recipient of the **Order of the Garter** and the **Order of the Elephant**. ### What role did Frederick I play in the War of the Spanish Succession? Frederick I aligned Brandenburg-Prussia with the Grand Alliance during the War of the Spanish Succession, contributing military and political support to the coalition against France and Spain. ### What was Frederick I's impact on Prussian culture and education? Frederick I promoted culture and education by founding the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences and the Prussian Academy of Arts, which became centers of learning and artistic development in Prussia. ## Why They Matter Frederick I of Prussia is significant for transforming the political status of his domains by becoming the first King in Prussia, thereby establishing the Kingdom of Prussia. His reign marked a turning point in European politics, elevating the Hohenzollern territories to royal status. He also laid the foundation for cultural and scientific advancement by establishing the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences and the Prussian Academy of Arts. His legacy includes the institutional and political framework that would later support the rise of Prussia as a European power. ## Notable For - Being the first King in Prussia, founding the Kingdom of Prussia in 1701 - Founding the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences in 1700 - Establishing the Prussian Academy of Arts in 1696 - Receiving the Order of the Black Eagle, which he himself founded - Being a recipient of the Order of the Garter and the Order of the Elephant - Promoting cultural and scientific development through institutional patronage - Leading Brandenburg-Prussia in the War of the Spanish Succession ## Body ### Early Life and Lineage Frederick I, born on July 11, 1657, was a member of the House of Hohenzollern and became the Elector of Brandenburg and Duke of Prussia. His early life was shaped by the political and military challenges of the time, including the need to elevate the status of his territories. ### Coronation and the Founding of the Kingdom of Prussia In 1701, Frederick I crowned himself as the first King in Prussia, a move that transformed his domains into a sovereign kingdom. This act was pivotal in European politics, marking the beginning of the Kingdom of Prussia as a major power. ### Cultural Patronage and Institutions Frederick I was a significant patron of culture and learning. He founded the **Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences** in 1700, which became a center for intellectual development. He also supported the **Prussian Academy of Arts**, established in 1696, promoting the arts in his domains. ### Military and Political Leadership Frederick I aligned Brandenburg-Prussia with the Grand Alliance during the War of the Spanish Succession, contributing military forces and political support. His leadership helped shape the political landscape of early 18th-century Europe. ### Chivalric Orders and Recognition Frederick I was associated with several chivalric orders: - He founded the **Order of the Black Eagle** in 1701, the highest order of chivalry in the Kingdom of Prussia. - He was also honored with the **Order of the Garter** and the **Order of the Elephant**, highlighting his international recognition and prestige. ### Legacy and Influence Frederick I's reign marked the beginning of Prussia's rise as a European power. His institutional patronage and political actions laid the groundwork for the cultural and intellectual achievements of Prussia in the 18th century. His legacy includes the transformation of his territories into a kingdom and the promotion of science and the arts, which influenced the future of Prussia significantly. ### Death and Historical Impact Frederick I died on February 25, 1713. His contributions to the cultural and political development of Prussia left a lasting impact, setting the stage for the rise of the Prussian state in European affairs. ## References 1. Integrated Authority File 2. The Peerage 3. LIBRIS. 2012 4. [Source](http://emp-web-84.zetcom.ch/eMP/eMuseumPlus?service=ExternalInterface&module=artist&objectId=6254) 5. datos.bne.es 6. Virtual International Authority File 7. Source 8. SNAC 9. Find a Grave 10. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 11. RKDartists 12. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana 13. Proleksis Encyclopedia 14. Croatian Encyclopedia 15. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 16. [Source](https://collections.mnaha.lu/) 17. Sejm-Wielki.pl 18. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands