| Charles William Ferdinand | |||||
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| Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg Prince of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel |
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Anonymous 1780 copy of a portrait painted in 1777 or earlier by Johann Georg Ziesenis
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| Reign | 26 March 1780 – 10 November 1806 | ||||
| Predecessor | Charles I | ||||
| Successor | Frederick William | ||||
| Born |
9 October 1735 Wolfenbüttel, Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, Holy Roman Empire |
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| Died | 10 November 1806 (aged 71) Ottensen, Hamburg, Holy Roman Empire |
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| Burial | 24 November 1806 Christianskirche, Ottensen, Hamburg 6 November 1819 Brunswick Cathedral |
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| Consort | Princess Augusta of Great Britain (m. 1764) | ||||
| Issue Details |
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| House | Brunswick-Bevern | ||||
| Father | Charles I, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel | ||||
| Mother | Princess Philippine Charlotte of Prussia | ||||
| Full name | |
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| Charles William Ferdinand German: Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand |
Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, Prince of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (German: Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand, Herzog von Braunschweig-Lüneburg und Fürst von Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel) (9 October 1735 – 10 November 1806), was ruler of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel and a military leader. His titles are usually shortened to Duke of Brunswick in English-language sources.
He succeeded his father as sovereign prince of the Principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, one of the princely states of the Holy Roman Empire. The duke was a cultured and benevolent despot in the model of Frederick the Great, and was married to Princess Augusta, a sister of George III of Great Britain. He was also a recognized master of 18th century warfare, serving as a Field Marshal in the Prussian Army. During the Napoleonic Wars, he was mortally wounded by a musket ball at the Battle of Jena–Auerstedt in 1806.
Charles William Ferdinand was born in the town of Wolfenbüttel on 9 October 1735, probably in Wolfenbüttel Castle. He was the first-born son of Charles I, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel and his wife Philippine Charlotte.