Frederick the Great

Friedrich II of Prussia (Friedrich der Große, Frederick II, Frederick the Great -- January 24, 1712 - August 17, 1786) was the Hohenzollern king of Prussia, from 1740-86. Friedrich preferred to speak French rather than German. He was one of the so-called "enlightened monarchs".

Frederick succeeded his father Frederick William I (dem Soldenkönig, the "Soldier King").

Frederick had not really a vision for an unified Germany; This did have to wait till Bismarck started and won several wars a century later. Actually he thought all his wars mainly against Austria (The Habsburg leaders of Austria were almost continously German Kings from 15th century till 1806).

Frederick led the Prussians during the War of the Austrian Succession, during the Seven Years' War (1756-1763) and in a campaign 1778 - not only as king but also as military commander in the field.

Frederick established Brandenburg/Prussia as the 5th European great power by using the resources his father had made available.

He married Elisabeth Christine von Braunschweig-Bevern.

Had a life-long rivalry with his younger brother Heinrich, Prince of Prussia. Had a long term friendship with Voltaire.

His nephew Friedrich Wilhelm II succeeded him as King of Prussia.

Frederick had a great fondness for music, and in particular he played the flute to an more than acceptable standard. He was responsible directly or indirectly for the writing of many pieces of flute music, and also wrote over a hundred pieces himself. His court musicians included C. P. E. Bach and Johann Joachim Quantz. A meeting with Johann Sebastian Bach in 1747 led to Bach writing The Musical Offering. Frederick also befriended Voltaire.

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