Karl Eugene (Duke of Württemberg)

Duke Karl Eugene is the eldest son of Duke Karl Alexander of Württemberg and his wife Maria Augusta von Turn-i-Taxis . Karl Eugene’s father died early, and Karl Eugene set foot on the throne in Württemberg at the age of 9, and until his coming of age Württemberg was ruled by Karl Rudolf Württemberg-Neuenstadt and Karl Friedrich II Württemberg-Elsi . Carl Eugene was brought up at the court of King of Prussia Frederick II in Berlin in order to avoid the Habsburg influence on the young man. Carl Eugene’s music teacher was Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach . At the age of 16, Karl Eugene was declared an adult and became the full ruler of Württemberg.

The era of the reign of Karl Eugene coincided with the peak of absolutism , the young ruler did everything possible for the brilliant glory of his court in Europe. Huge expenses led Württemberg to a financial collapse, but the best artists served at the court of Karl Eugene, several palaces were built ( New Palace , Solitude Palace, Hohenheim Palace ). The festivities held at the court of Karl Eugene turned into legends.

In 1741, Carl Eugene met the niece of the Prussian king Frederick II, Princess Elizabeth Frederick Sophia Brandenburg-Bayreuth , daughter of Margrave Frederick III of Brandenburg-Bayreuth , and married her in 1748. The marriage did not stand the test of time, and in the fall of 1756, the Duchess Elizabeth Frederic Sofia returned to her parental home. The duke spent time with numerous favorites, some mistresses were with the duke in a long relationship and gave birth to illegitimate children. In 1771, Karl Eugene met the married baroness Francisco Leitrum von Ertingen , the nee Baroness von Bernerdin, who also became his mistress. The baroness divorced her husband in 1772, the wife of the Duke Elizabeth Frederick Sofia died in 1780, and in 1785 Karl Eugene entered into an organic marriage with Francisco, who by that time had received the title of imperial countess von Hohenheim.

With age, Karl Eugene became interested in agriculture and pedagogy . In 1767, he appropriated the title of "lifelong rector" of the University of Tübingen . In 1770, the Duke founded the Charles High School . With the second wife, the Duke Karl Eugene took long trips, of which his diary entries were preserved.

Duke Karl Eugene of Württemberg died in his unfinished Hohenheim Palace and was buried in the tomb of the Ludwigsburg Palace . He was succeeded by his younger brothers Ludwig Eugene and Friedrich Eugene .

The only legitimate child of Karl Eugene was his daughter Frederick Wilhelmina Augusta Louise Charlotte (1750-1751), born in marriage with Margraine Elizabeth Friederika Sofia Brandenburg-Bayreuth . Among the 77 illegitimate children are the architect of the Hohenheim Palace Reinhard Fischer ( German ) and the Napoleonic army general Friedrich von Franckemon ( German ).

• Karl-Eugene // Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary : in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - SPb. , 1890-1907.