# Frederick III of Saxony

> Elector and Duke of Saxony (1463-1525)

**Wikidata**: [Q77233](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q77233)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_III,_Elector_of_Saxony)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/frederick-iii-of-saxony

## Summary
Frederick III of Saxony, also known as Frederick the Wise, was an Elector and Duke of Saxony (1463–1525). He is best known for founding the University of Wittenberg in 1502, which became a center of the Protestant Reformation and the education of figures like Martin Luther. His reign marked a period of cultural and intellectual flourishing in the Holy Roman Empire.

## Biography
- Born: January 17, 1463 (Wittenberg, Holy Roman Empire)
- Nationality: German
- Education: Studied at the University of Leipzig and the University of Erfurt
- Known for: Establishing the University of Wittenberg and promoting intellectual and cultural development
- Employer(s): Electorate of Saxony, Holy Roman Empire
- Field(s): Politics, education, and cultural patronage

## Contributions
- **University of Wittenberg (1502):** Founded the university, which became a key institution of the Protestant Reformation and the education of Martin Luther. The university operated until its dissolution in 1814.
- **Cultural Patronage:** Supported the arts and sciences, including the works of Albrecht Dürer and Lucas Cranach the Elder.
- **Reformist Policies:** Advocated for religious and educational reforms, fostering an environment of intellectual inquiry and reform.

## FAQs
### What was Frederick III of Saxony known for?
Frederick III of Saxony is known for founding the University of Wittenberg in 1502, which became a center of the Protestant Reformation and the education of influential figures like Martin Luther.

### Where was Frederick III of Saxony born?
Frederick III of Saxony was born in Wittenberg, within the Holy Roman Empire, on January 17, 1463.

### What was the significance of the University of Wittenberg?
The University of Wittenberg, founded by Frederick III, became a key institution of the Protestant Reformation and the education of Martin Luther, shaping intellectual and religious developments in the Holy Roman Empire.

### Who were some notable figures associated with Frederick III of Saxony?
Notable figures associated with Frederick III include Martin Luther, Albrecht Dürer, and Lucas Cranach the Elder, who were educated or worked under his patronage.

## Why They Matter
Frederick III of Saxony's establishment of the University of Wittenberg had a profound impact on the intellectual and religious landscape of the Holy Roman Empire. The university became a center of the Protestant Reformation, influencing figures like Martin Luther and shaping the education of future generations. His patronage of the arts and sciences also contributed to the cultural flourishing of his time. Without his leadership, the intellectual and educational foundations of the region would have been significantly different.

## Notable For
- Founder of the University of Wittenberg (1502), a key institution of the Protestant Reformation.
- Patron of the arts and sciences, supporting figures like Albrecht Dürer and Lucas Cranach the Elder.
- Advocate for religious and educational reforms, fostering an environment of intellectual inquiry.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Frederick III of Saxony was born on January 17, 1463, in Wittenberg, within the Holy Roman Empire. He received his education at the University of Leipzig and the University of Erfurt, where he studied under influential scholars of his time.

### Political Career
Frederick III served as Elector and Duke of Saxony, ruling over the Electorate of Saxony. His reign was marked by a focus on cultural and intellectual development, which he pursued through the establishment of the University of Wittenberg.

### University of Wittenberg
In 1502, Frederick III founded the University of Wittenberg, which became a center of the Protestant Reformation. The university played a pivotal role in the education of Martin Luther and other influential figures, shaping religious and intellectual developments in the Holy Roman Empire. The university operated until its dissolution in 1814.

### Cultural Patronage
Frederick III was a patron of the arts and sciences, supporting the works of Albrecht Dürer and Lucas Cranach the Elder. His patronage contributed to the cultural flourishing of his time and left a lasting legacy in the region.

### Religious and Educational Reforms
Frederick III advocated for religious and educational reforms, fostering an environment of intellectual inquiry and reform. His policies and patronage had a significant impact on the intellectual and religious landscape of the Holy Roman Empire.

### Legacy
Frederick III of Saxony's contributions to education, culture, and religious reform have had a lasting impact on the Holy Roman Empire. His establishment of the University of Wittenberg and his patronage of the arts and sciences continue to be celebrated as key milestones in the region's intellectual and cultural history.

## References

1. The Peerage
2. Integrated Authority File
3. datos.bne.es
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. Ökumenisches Heiligenlexikon
7. [Source](https://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/f/federico_iii_el_prudente.htm)
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. IdRef
10. Willibald Pirckheimers Briefwechsel
11. Contemporaries of Erasmus (vol. 3)
12. Early Modern Letters Online
13. Sejm-Wielki.pl
14. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
15. HMML Authority File