OTD 9 July 1737 Gian Gastone de' Medici Grand Duke of Tuscany

On May 24th. 1671, Gian Gastone de' Medici was born in Florence,
Tuscany as the son of Cosimo III de' Medici and
Marguerite Louise d'Orléans.

Gian Gastone de' Medici - Source picture: Wikipedia

After Gian Gastone's birth, his parents frequently quarreled and Marguerite Louise

returned to her home in France. Gian Gastone de' Medici was raised by his

paternal grandmother Vittoria della Rovere.

He was tutored by Cardinal Henry Noris and the Tuscan Prince became an

avid intellectual, an antiquarian, a botanist and an amateur scientist. He

also could speak English and several other languages.

On July 2nd. 1697, Gian Gastone de' Medici married Anne Maria Franziska

of Saxe-Lauenburg in Düsseldorf, who was already a widow. 

In Tuscany the bride was described as a 

'Bohemian peasant more than a princess'

After their wedding, the couple moved to Prague, but the widow was not really 

interested in Gian Gastone de' Medici and the couple despised each other. 

She liked riding on horses and the stable was her salon. 

He spent several hours alone at night, drinking and staring at the moon.

On October 31rd. 1723, Gian Gastone de' Medici became Grand Duke of

Tuscany, after his father's death. Unfortunately Tuscany was at that moment

in a pitiful state.

Gian Gastone de' Medici - Source picture: Wikipedia

Gian Gastone de' Medici died on July 9th. 1737.