Ferdinand I of Austria

Biography

Ferdinand was born in Vienna in 1793, the eldest son of Emperor Francis II (later Francis I of Austria) and Maria Theresa of Naples and Sicily, who were double first cousins. He suffered from hydrocephalus, severe epilepsy and a speech impediment, although his diaries show a coherent and at times witty mind. He was crowned junior King of Hungary in 1830 and in 1831 married Maria Anna of Savoy; they had no children.

He succeeded his father on 2 March 1835 as Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary and Bohemia and president of the German Confederation. Because his seizures made personal rule impossible, his father's will directed him to rely on his uncle Archduke Louis and on Prince Metternich, and a regency council of Louis, Count Kolowrat and Metternich ran the government. Popular for his gentle nature, he was nicknamed Ferdinand the Benign.

The revolutions of 1848 brought down Metternich's system, and on 2 December 1848 Ferdinand was persuaded by Prince Felix of Schwarzenberg to abdicate in favour of his nephew Franz Joseph. He was the last king to be crowned King of Bohemia and the last ruler crowned with the Iron Crown of Lombardy. He spent his remaining years at Prague Castle and died there in 1875.