Franz Georg von Schonborn

Biography

Franz Georg was born in Mainz, the ninth son of the Count of Schonborn and the nephew of Lothar Franz von Schonborn, the Archbishop-Elector of Mainz. Franz Georg's brothers were Johann Philipp Franz, Friedrich Karl and Hugo Damian, all three important churchmen. Beginning in 1702 he studied law, philosophy, theology, geography, history, and language at Salzburg, Siena, and Leiden. After completing his studies he travelled to the Vatican, Spain and England. Through the influence of his uncle, Franz Georg gained valuable contacts in the court of the Holy Roman Emperor in Vienna. After his uncle died in 1729 and Franz Ludwig, Archbishop-Elector of Trier succeeded him vacating his own see, Franz Georg was unanimously elected the new Archbishop of Trier and thus appointed Prince-Elector of Trier. Owing to the protection of the Papacy in 1732 he was also elected the Prince-Bishop of Worms and the Prince-Provost of Ellwangen Abbey.

Politically Franz Georg sided with the House of Habsburg, and through it the Archbishopric-Electorate of Trier became involved in the great conflicts of the day. In the second half of his reign, Franz Georg retired from active involvement in politics, and focused on administration and construction projects. From 1737 until 1753 he constructed a Baroque residence in Ellwangen. Beginning in 1739 he began the extension of the Philippsburg of Ehrenbreitstein in Coblenz. He also constructed a new summer residence. Despite being pious, Franz Georg worked hard to increase the level of education amongst the populace. He outlawed several pilgrimages, holidays and exorcisms. Towards the end of his life Franz Georg's power declined with that of his families. He died in Philippsburg in 1756 and was buried in the Cathedral of Trier.