Paul Frederick, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (original) (raw)

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Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin from 1837 to 1842

Paul Frederick
Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Reign	1 February 1837 – 7 March 1842
Predecessor	Frederick Francis I
Successor	Frederick Francis II
Born	(1800-09-15)September 15, 1800Ludwigslust
Died	March 7, 1842(1842-03-07) (aged 41)Schwerin
Spouse	Princess Alexandrine of Prussia(m. 1822)
Issue	Frederick Francis II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-SchwerinLouise, Hereditary Princess of Windisch-GraetzDuke William of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
House	House of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Father	Frederick Louis, Hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Mother	Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna of Russia
Religion	Lutheranism

Paul Friedrich (15 September 1800 – 7 March 1842) ruled as Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin from 1837 to 1842.

He was born in Ludwigslust the son of Friedrich Ludwig, Hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna of Russia, and was the only surviving grandchild of Paul I of Russia who was born during the Tsar's lifetime.[_citation needed_] Paul Friedrich was educated at Geneva, Jena and Rostock. Paul Friedrich became heir-apparent to the throne of Mecklenburg-Schwerin in 1819, upon the death of his father, the Hereditary Grand Duke.

On 1 February 1837 he succeeded his grandfather, Friedrich Franz I. His reign saw improvements in the infrastructure and judicial system of the Grand Duchy, as well as a change in the government's seat of residence from Ludwigslust to Schwerin. Nonetheless, Paul Friedrich was largely interested only in military matters and spent most of his time drilling his troops. As Paul Friedrich reached his middle age, he adopted a more reclusive lifestyle, preferring only the company of his mistress. Paul Friedrich died in 1842 of a cold caught while rushing to a fire in his capital city.

Marriage and children

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Paul Friedrich married Princess Alexandrine of Prussia at Berlin on 25 May 1822. They had two sons and one daughter:

• Friedrich Franz II (1823–1883)
• Luise (1824–1859) married Hugo, Prince of Windisch-Grätz and had issue (Princess Marie of Windisch-Graetz)
• Wilhelm (1827–1879) married Princess Alexandrine of Prussia, daughter of Prince Albert of Prussia

Paul Friedrich also had issue with his mistress, Countess Catharina von Hauke, daughter of Johann Mauritz Hauke and sister of Princess Julia of Battenberg:

• Catharina (1830–1834)[_citation needed_]
• Paul Friedrich (1832–1903)[_citation needed_] married Countess Maria Anna van Nieppell, had issue[_citation needed_]
• Alexander (1833–1833)[_citation needed_]
• Helene Catharina (1835–1915) died unmarried[_citation needed_]

Media related to Paul Frederick, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin at Wikimedia Commons