Prince Augustus Ferdinand Of Prussia

Prince Augustus Ferdinand of Prussia (German: August Ferdinand; 23 May 1730 – 2 May 1813) was a member of the House of Hohenzollern and held various military and noble positions during his lifetime. He was born in Berlin, Kingdom of Prussia, as the youngest son of Frederick William I of Prussia and Queen Sophia Dorothea of Hanover. His siblings included Frederick II of Prussia (Frederick the Great), Queen Louisa Ulrika of Sweden, and Margrave Wilhelmine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth.

He began his military career early, joining the Infantry regiment "Kronprinz" at the age of five. In 1740, his brother appointed him as commander of Infantry regiment No. 34. By 1756, he was promoted to Major General and participated in campaigns during the Seven Years' War, accompanying King Frederick the Great in battles across Saxony, Bohemia, and Silesia. Notable engagements include the Battle of Breslau and the Battle of Leuthen. Due to health issues, he withdrew from active military service in 1758.

In 1762, he purchased Friedrichsfelde Palace located near Berlin. Additionally, he is recognized for constructing Schloss Bellevue in the Berliner Tiergarten in 1786, which today serves as the residence of the Presidents of Germany.

On 12 September 1763, Augustus Ferdinand was elected Herrenmeister ("Master of the Knights") of the Bailiwick of Brandenburg of the Order of Saint John, a position he held until 1812.

He married his niece, Margravine Elisabeth Louise of Brandenburg-Schwedt, on 27 September 1755. Elisabeth Louise was the daughter of his sister Sophia Dorothea and Margrave Frederick William of Brandenburg-Schwedt. The marriage produced seven children:

1. Princess Friederike Elisabeth Dorothea Henriette Amalie (1 November 1761 – 28 August 1773), who died young at age 11.

2. Prince Friedrich Heinrich Emil Karl (21 October 1769 – 8 December 1773), who died at age 4.

3. Princess Friederike Louise (24 May 1770 – 7 December 1836), who married Prince Antoni Radziwiłł and had issue.

4. Prince Friedrich Christian Heinrich Ludwig (11 November 1771 – 8 October 1790), who died at age 18 and was unmarried.

5. Prince Louis Ferdinand (18 November 1772 – 10 October 1806), killed in the Battle of Saalfeld, with no legitimate issue.

6. Prince Friedrich Paul Heinrich August (29 November 1776 – 2 December 1776), who died in infancy.

7. Prince Augustus (19 September 1779 – 19 July 1843), who entered a morganatic marriage with Emilie von Ostrowska.

Prince Augustus Ferdinand died in Berlin on 2 May 1813. He was the last surviving grandchild of King George I of Great Britain. His wife, Elisabeth Louise, died on 10 February 1820.