Predecessor Friedrich Franz I Name Paul Grand | Father Friedrich Ludwig Successor Friedrich Franz II | |
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Reign 1 February 1837 - 7 March 1842 Born September 15, 1800Ludwigslust ( 1800-09-15 ) Mother Elena Pavlovna of Russia Spouse Princess Alexandrine of Prussia (m. 1822) Children Frederick Francis II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin Parents Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna of Russia, Frederick Louis, Hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin Similar People Princess Alexandrine of Prussia, Frederick Francis III - Grand Du, Grand Duchess Elena Pa, Duchess Marie of Mecklenburg‑Schwerin, Duchess Helene of Mecklenburg‑Schwerin | ||
Paul Friedrich (15 September 1800 – 7 March 1842) ruled as Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin from 1837 to 1842.
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Biography
He was born in Ludwigslust the son of Hereditary Grand Duke Friedrich Ludwig of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna of Russia. Paul Friedrich was educated at Geneva, Jena and Rostock. Paul Friedrich became heir-apparent to the throne of Mecklenburg-Schwerin in 1819, upon the death of his father, the Hereditary Grand Duke.
On 1 February 1837 he succeeded his grandfather, Friedrich Franz I. His reign saw improvements in the infrastructure and judicial system of the Grand Duchy, as well as a change in the government's seat of residence from Ludwigslust to Schwerin. Nonetheless, Paul Friedrich was largely interested only in military matters and spent most of his time drilling his troops. As Paul Friedrich reached his middle age, he adopted a more reclusive lifestyle, preferring only the company of his mistress. Paul Friedrich died in 1842 of a cold caught while rushing to a fire in his capital city.
Marriage and children
Paul Friedrich married Princess Alexandrine of Prussia at Berlin on 25 May 1822. They had two sons and four daughters:
Paul Friedrich also had issue with his mistress, Countess Catarina Hauke, daughter of Johann Mauritz Hauke and sister of Princess Julia of Battenberg: