The Probert Encyclopaedia of People

FREDERICK WILLIAM IV

Frederick William IV was a king of Prussia. He was born in 1795 and died in 1861. The son of Frederick William III, he was carefully trained by the best masters in all the leading branches of knowledge and art, civil and military. He took part, though without any active command, in the campaigns of 1813-1814. When he succeeded to the throne by the death of his father in 1840 his first proceedings were both of a popular and praiseworthy character. He soon, however, began to pursue a retrograde and absolutist policy. The popular movement which followed the French revolution of 1848 was at first met by the king with firmness, but on the demand of the people that the troops should be withdrawn from. the capital, backed by an attack on the arsenal, the king offered concessions, which, however, he retracted on his power becoming more secure. Latterly his mind gave way, and he sank into a state of hopeless imbecility, which rendered it necessary to appoint his brother William regent of the kingdom. He died without issue, and was succeeded by his brother, who ten years later became emperor of united Germany.
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