Ferdinand I of Austria

Kaiser Ferdinand I

Ferdinand I
Emperor of Austria
Portrait of Ferdinand I
Reign	2 March 1835 – 2 December 1848
Coronation	7 September 1838
Predecessor	Francis II
Successor	Franz Joseph I
Born	19 April 1793 Vienna, Archduchy of Austria, Holy Roman Empire
Died	29 June 1875 (aged 82) Prague, Bohemia, Austro-Hungarian Empire
Burial	Imperial Crypt, Vienna
Spouse	Maria Anna of Savoy
House	House of Habsburg-Lorraine
Father	Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor
Mother	Maria Theresa of Naples and Sicily

Ferdinand I (19 April 1793 – 29 June 1875) was Emperor of Austria from 1835 until his abdication in 1848. He was also King of Hungary, Croatia, and Bohemia (as Ferdinand V), as well as associated dominions of the Habsburg Monarchy. He was the eldest son of Francis II and Maria Theresa of Naples and Sicily.

Early Life

Ferdinand was born in Vienna, the capital of the Archduchy of Austria, part of the Holy Roman Empire. He was born with significant health issues, including epilepsy, which affected his ability to rule effectively. Despite his health problems, he was educated and prepared for his future role as emperor.

Reign

Ferdinand ascended to the throne on 2 March 1835 following the death of his father, Francis II. His reign was marked by the influence of his advisors, particularly Klemens von Metternich, who played a significant role in the administration of the empire.

Coronation

Ferdinand was crowned Emperor of Austria on 7 September 1838 in the St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. His coronation as King of Hungary took place in Pressburg (now Bratislava) on 28 September 1830, and as King of Bohemia in Prague on 7 September 1836.

Revolutions of 1848

The Revolutions of 1848 in the Austrian Empire were a series of uprisings that challenged Ferdinand's rule. The revolutions were driven by demands for more political freedom and national autonomy. Ferdinand's inability to effectively manage the crisis led to his abdication on 2 December 1848 in favor of his nephew, Franz Joseph I.

Later Life

After his abdication, Ferdinand retired to Prague, where he lived a relatively quiet life until his death on 29 June 1875. He was buried in the Imperial Crypt in Vienna.

Marriage

Ferdinand married Maria Anna of Savoy on 27 February 1831. The marriage was childless, likely due to Ferdinand's health issues.

Legacy

Ferdinand's reign is often viewed as a period of stagnation in the Austrian Empire, largely due to his health problems and the conservative policies of his advisors. However, his abdication paved the way for significant reforms under his successor, Franz Joseph I.

Ancestry

Ferdinand I of Austria
See also House of Habsburg-Lorraine Revolutions of 1848 in the Austrian Empire Franz Joseph I of Austria