# Frederick William of Brandenburg

> Elector of Brandenburg and Duke of Prussia

**Wikidata**: [Q152727](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q152727)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_William,_the_Great_Elector)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/frederick-william-of-brandenburg

## Summary
Frederick William of Brandenburg, also known as the Great Elector, was a human and aristocrat who served as the Elector of Brandenburg and Duke of Prussia. He is recognized as an art collector and a key figure associated with the Berlin State Library. His legacy includes connections to the Holy Roman Empire and the Fruitbearing Society.

## Biography
- Born: [Date and place not provided]
- Nationality: Holy Roman Empire
- Education: [Not provided]
- Known for: Serving as Elector of Brandenburg and Duke of Prussia
- Employer(s): [Not provided]
- Field(s): Aristocracy, Politics, Art Collection

## Contributions
Frederick William is associated with the Berlin State Library, a state library and heritage institution in Germany that was established on January 1, 1661. He owned and operated Klein Glienicke, a dwelling place. As an art collector and affiliate of the Fruitbearing Society—a literary society founded on August 24, 1617—he contributed to the cultural and literary landscape of his time.

## FAQs
**What titles did Frederick William of Brandenburg hold?**
He held the titles of Elector of Brandenburg and Duke of Prussia, and was frequently referred to by the alias "The Great Elector."

**Was Frederick William involved in the arts?**
Yes, he was an art collector and was affiliated with the Fruitbearing Society, a literary society established in 1617 with headquarters in Weimar.

**What is Frederick William's connection to the Berlin State Library?**
He is listed as a key person associated with the Berlin State Library, a major heritage institution founded in 1661.

**What recognition did he receive?**
He was a recipient of the Order of the Garter, an order of chivalry in England that was instituted in 1348.

## Why They Matter
Frederick William is a significant historical figure due to his dual role as Elector of Brandenburg and Duke of Prussia within the multi-ethnic complex of the Holy Roman Empire. His influence is recorded through his association with the Berlin State Library, a major institution founded in 1661. Furthermore, his legacy endured into the modern era, evidenced by the 1891 Brandenburg-class battleship named SMS Kurfürst Friedrich Wilhelm.

## Notable For
- Holding the titles of Elector of Brandenburg and Duke of Prussia.
- Being known by the alias "The Great Elector."
- Receiving the Order of the Garter.
- Being listed as a key person for the Berlin State Library.
- Owning the dwelling place Klein Glienicke.
- Being an art collector and aristocrat.
- Having the SMS Kurfürst Friedrich Wilhelm battleship named after him.

## Body

### Identity and Status
Frederick William of Brandenburg was a human and aristocrat. He is widely known by the aliases Friedrich Wilhelm and the Great Elector. His primary roles were serving as the Elector of Brandenburg and the Duke of Prussia, positioning him as a key figure within the Holy Roman Empire, a multi-ethnic complex of territories in Western and Central Europe that existed from 962 to 1806.

### Cultural and Artistic Pursuits
As an art collector, Frederick William engaged with the cultural landscape of his time. He was affiliated with the Fruitbearing Society, a literary society established on August 24, 1617, with headquarters in Weimar. His ownership extended to Klein Glienicke, a dwelling place.

### Institutional Associations
Frederick William is identified as a key person associated with the Berlin State Library. This state library and heritage institution was founded on January 1, 1661, and operates within the library industry in Germany.

### Professional Affiliations and Recognition
Throughout his life, he maintained connections with various notable figures, including Otto Friedrich von der Groeben (a Prussian traveler, soldier, and author), François Dieussart (a sculptor active from 1600 to 1661), and Charles Philippe Dieussart (a Dutch architect). For his service and status, he was awarded the Order of the Garter, an English order of chivalry instituted in 1348.

### Legacy
His legacy is preserved in various forms, including the naming of the SMS Kurfürst Friedrich Wilhelm. This 1891 Brandenburg-class battleship serves as a historical testament to his enduring name.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.preussen.de/de/geschichte/1640_kurfuerst_friedrich_wilhelm.html)
2. RKDartists
3. LIBRIS. 2012
4. The Peerage
5. International Standard Name Identifier
6. MusicBrainz
7. [Source](http://www.die-fruchtbringende-gesellschaft.de/files/fg_beacon.txt)
8. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
9. SNAC
10. Find a Grave
11. [Brockhaus Enzyklopädie](https://brockhaus.de/ecs/julex/article/friedrich-friedrich-wilhelm)
12. GeneaStar
13. Integrated Authority File
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. Virtual International Authority File
16. IdRef
17. [Source](https://brandenburg.museum-digital.de/object/47587)
18. Sejm-Wielki.pl
19. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
20. HMML Authority File