Predecessor Christian August | Name Frederick I, | |
 | ||
Reign 20 January 1754–13 November 1794 Born 6 April 1721Augustenborg ( 1721-04-06 ) Issueamong others... Frederick Christian IICharles August, Crown Prince of Sweden | ||
Frederick Christian I (German: Friedrich Christian I., Danish: Frederik Christian 1.; 6 April 1721 – 13 November 1794) was Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg from 1754 to 1794.
He was the eldest son of Christian August, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg (1696–1754) and his wife Duchess Louise Frederikke née Countess af Danneskiold-Samsøe (1699–1744). In 1754, his father died and Frederick Christian inherited Augustenborg Castle and Gråsten. However, these estates were deeply in debt. He waived his claims on the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein and in return the King of Denmark (who was also Duke of Schleswig and Holstein) granted him a favourable settlement. This allowed him to purchase Als and Sundeved, making him the largest landowner in Schleswig. He was also able to expand Augustenborg Castle, the family residence.
Frederick Christian served as a general in the Danish army. He was a Knight of the Order of the Elephant.
Marriage and issue
On 26 May 1762, he married Charlotte Amalie Wilhelmine (1744–1770), the daughter of Frederick Charles, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Plön. They had the following children: They had seven children: