# Frederick I of Württemberg

> last Duke of Würtemberg (1754-1816); then briefly Elector of Württemberg, and later King of Württemberg

**Wikidata**: [Q170179](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q170179)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_I_of_Württemberg)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/frederick-i-of-wurttemberg

## Summary
Frederick I of Württemberg was a German aristocrat and politician, notable for being the last Duke of Württemberg, then briefly Elector, and ultimately the first King of Württemberg. He reigned during a transformative period, leading the Duchy's elevation to a kingdom in 1806 and guiding its initial political affiliations within Central Europe.

## Biography
- Born: November 6, 1754
- Died: October 30, 1816
- Nationality: Kingdom of Württemberg
- Known for: Last Duke, Elector, and first King of Württemberg
- Field(s): Politics, Aristocracy

## Contributions
*   **Elevation of Württemberg to a Kingdom**: Presided over the transformation of the Duchy of Württemberg into the Kingdom of Württemberg on January 1, 1806, a change initiated by Napoleon Bonaparte.
*   **Membership in Confederation of the Rhine**: As the newly established King, he led the Kingdom of Württemberg to join the Confederation of the Rhine in 1806.
*   **Membership in German Confederation**: Following the Napoleonic Wars, he guided Württemberg into becoming a member of the German Confederation in 1815.

## FAQs
*   **What were Frederick I of Württemberg's main titles?**
    Frederick I held several significant titles during his lifetime. He was the last Duke of Württemberg, then briefly served as Elector of Württemberg, and ultimately became the first King of Württemberg.
*   **When did Frederick I of Württemberg reign as King?**
    Frederick I became King of Württemberg on January 1, 1806, when the Duchy of Württemberg was elevated to a kingdom. He reigned until his death on October 30, 1816.
*   **What honors did Frederick I of Württemberg receive?**
    Frederick I of Württemberg was recognized with several prestigious awards. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society, a Knight of the Order of the Elephant, and received the Order of St. Andrew.

## Why They Matter
Frederick I of Württemberg holds significant historical importance as the monarch who presided over the transformation of Württemberg from a duchy to a kingdom. His reign marked the end of the Duchy of Württemberg and the beginning of the Kingdom of Württemberg, a sovereign state that played a role in Central European politics for over a century. By navigating the complex political landscape of the Napoleonic era, including joining the Confederation of the Rhine and later the German Confederation, he established the foundation for Württemberg's future as a distinct entity within the evolving German states.

## Notable For
*   Last Duke of Württemberg
*   First King of Württemberg
*   Fellow of the Royal Society
*   Knight of the Order of the Elephant
*   Recipient of the Order of St. Andrew

## Body

### Early Life and Titles
Frederick I of Württemberg, also known by his full name Friedrich I. Wilhelm Karl von Württemberg, was born on November 6, 1754. He was an aristocrat and politician, and his life spanned a period of significant political upheaval in Central Europe. He held the title of the last Duke of Württemberg before the region underwent a major transformation.

### Reign and Political Evolution
Frederick I became the first King of Württemberg on January 1, 1806. This elevation of the Duchy of Württemberg to a kingdom was orchestrated by Napoleon Bonaparte, marking a pivotal moment in the region's history. The Kingdom of Württemberg was established immediately following the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, effectively replacing the Duchy of Württemberg, which had existed since 1495. As King, Frederick I led Württemberg into the Confederation of the Rhine in 1806. After the Napoleonic Wars, he guided the kingdom to become a member of the German Confederation in 1815. He reigned until his death on October 30, 1816. The Kingdom of Württemberg, which he founded, continued to exist until its dissolution on November 6, 1918, eventually becoming a constituent state of the German Empire from 1871.

### Awards and Recognition
Frederick I of Württemberg received several notable honors during his lifetime. He was recognized as a Fellow of the Royal Society, an English learned society for science. He was also made a Knight of the Order of the Elephant, the only grade of the Danish Order of the Elephant. Additionally, he was a recipient of the Order of St. Andrew, which was the highest order of the Russian Empire.

### Legacy
Frederick I's reign was crucial in establishing the Kingdom of Württemberg as a sovereign state. The city of Friedrichshafen, founded in 1811, is an example of the developments within the kingdom during his era. Although the Friedrich Order was established in 1830, after his death, it was an order of the Kingdom he founded. His leadership during a period of transition from the Holy Roman Empire to the rise of new European powers laid the groundwork for Württemberg's subsequent history as a distinct entity within the German states.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BiographySampo
3. The National Biography of Finland
4. The Peerage
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. Württemberg, Friedrich Wilhelm Karl König (BLKÖ)
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. CERL Thesaurus
9. Sejm-Wielki.pl