| Fred's other Brothers and Sisters |
Brother August Wilhelm, 1722-1758, was the family's second son and Friedrich's younger brother.
Augustus was a general in the Silesian Wars. Because Friedrich had no children, it was August's
oldest son who would inherit the Prussian throne as King Friedrich Wilhelm II.
Friedrich Heinrich Ludwig; 1726-1802, younger brother of Friedrich, served as a general and
statesman, and, in 1786, was suggested as a candidate for a monarch for the United States. When
Heinrich was only 14, he was appointed as Colonel of an infantry regiment after his brother became
king in 1740, leading Heinrich to participate in the Silesian Wars. He married Princess Wilhelmina of
Hesse-Kassel in Charlottenburg in 1752, and they lived in Rheinsberg after receiving it as a gift from
his brother.
In 1753, he published his memoirs under the pseudonym "Maréchal Gessler". As a general, he
successfully led Prussian armies during the Seven Years' War (1756-1763), in which he never lost a
battle. Although they bickered, Friedrich admired his brother as a commander, and Heinrich never
lost a battle under his command. His most famous victory came at Frieburg in 1762. He worked as a
diplomat after the Seven Years' War, and helped plan the First Partition of Poland. He desired his
own principality and twice tried to become King of Poland, but was opposed by his displeased
brother. Then, in 1786, either Nathaniel Gorham, President of the American Continental Congress,
or General von Steuben suggested to Alexander Hamilton that Heinrich should become President or
King of the United States, but the offer was revoked before the prince even replied.
After the death of his brother in 1786, Heinrich hoped to gain more influence in the Prussian
government, and although he did not, his value was more important during the last years of his life in
advising Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III, who began his reign in 1797. He died in
Rheinsberg.without issue.
Augustus was a general in the Silesian Wars. Because Friedrich had no children, it was August's
oldest son who would inherit the Prussian throne as King Friedrich Wilhelm II.
Friedrich Heinrich Ludwig; 1726-1802, younger brother of Friedrich, served as a general and
statesman, and, in 1786, was suggested as a candidate for a monarch for the United States. When
Heinrich was only 14, he was appointed as Colonel of an infantry regiment after his brother became
king in 1740, leading Heinrich to participate in the Silesian Wars. He married Princess Wilhelmina of
Hesse-Kassel in Charlottenburg in 1752, and they lived in Rheinsberg after receiving it as a gift from
his brother.
In 1753, he published his memoirs under the pseudonym "Maréchal Gessler". As a general, he
successfully led Prussian armies during the Seven Years' War (1756-1763), in which he never lost a
battle. Although they bickered, Friedrich admired his brother as a commander, and Heinrich never
lost a battle under his command. His most famous victory came at Frieburg in 1762. He worked as a
diplomat after the Seven Years' War, and helped plan the First Partition of Poland. He desired his
own principality and twice tried to become King of Poland, but was opposed by his displeased
brother. Then, in 1786, either Nathaniel Gorham, President of the American Continental Congress,
or General von Steuben suggested to Alexander Hamilton that Heinrich should become President or
King of the United States, but the offer was revoked before the prince even replied.
After the death of his brother in 1786, Heinrich hoped to gain more influence in the Prussian
government, and although he did not, his value was more important during the last years of his life in
advising Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III, who began his reign in 1797. He died in
Rheinsberg.without issue.
| August Wilhelm, Heinrich Ludwig, Philippine Charlotte, August Ferdinand |
Another of Friedrich's sisters was Princess Philippine Charlotte, 1716-1801, the fourth child in the
family. In 1733, she married Duke Karl of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, eldest son of Ferdinand Albert
II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg. Charles inherited the dukedom on his father's death in 1735. Karl
and Philippine had thirteen children.
Prince August Ferdinand, 1730–1813, was another younger brother. He married his niece, Elisabeth
of Brandenburg-Schwedt in 1755, a marriage which yielded seven children. He died in Berlin.
family. In 1733, she married Duke Karl of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, eldest son of Ferdinand Albert
II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg. Charles inherited the dukedom on his father's death in 1735. Karl
and Philippine had thirteen children.
Prince August Ferdinand, 1730–1813, was another younger brother. He married his niece, Elisabeth
of Brandenburg-Schwedt in 1755, a marriage which yielded seven children. He died in Berlin.
| Friedrich and his brothers as children |
