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Friedrich II
King of Prussia
(1712–86)

Other names: 'the Great'

Othe Titles

King in Prussia 1740–72

Biographical

By his father’s well-meant brutality Friedrich was driven to attempt flight to England, but through the indiscretion of his confidant, Lieutenant Katte, he was arrested, condemned to death for desertion, and kept in prison for two years, until released at the solicitation of foreign princes. He then made a show of submission to his father, and in 1733 consented to a marriage with the Princess Elisabeth Christina of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, though never treating her as his wife. He was fond of literature and study, for which his coarse and illiterate father had nothing but contempt. From his marriage till his father’s death Friedrich lived in the castle of Rheinsberg, gave himself up to literature and music, and to the society of learned men whom he gathered around him. During this period began his correspondence with Voltaire, which was followed up later by personal acquaintance. In 1740, the year of his accession to the throne, Karl I of Germany died, and Friedrich took the opportunity to wrest Silesia from that prince s daughter. This act proved to be the beginning of three wars, of which the last, breaking out in 1756, being the Seven Years’ war. During this conflict his capital was taken, and twice he was reduced to such straits that he meditated suicide, but the sudden death of his enemy, Elisabeth of Russia, saved him, her son, Peter III, not only withdrawing from the league against him, but sending to his help a force of 24,000 men. After 1763, when the war came to an end, Friedrich set himself with extraordinary energy to repair its ravages, and lived long enough to witness a state of considerable prosperity. Before his death he organised a confederation of German princes as a safeguard against Austrian pretensions.

Place of birth: Berlin
Place of marriage: Schloss Salzdahlum, near Wolfenbüttel
Place of death: Potsdam

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