Charles Alexander, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
When the Danish author and poet Hans Christian Andersen wrote about
Charles Alexander, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach:
"I quite love the young duke, he is the first of all princes that
I really find attractive"
I wanted to know more about this Duke.
.jpg)
Youth
Charles Alexander August Johann was born on 24 June 1818 in Weimar.
He was the second but eldest surviving son of Karl Frederick,
Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach and
Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna of Russia.
Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach and
Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna of Russia.
His mother engaged as tutor for Karl the Swiss scholar
Frédéric Soret who became a close acquaintance to
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Frédéric Soret who became a close acquaintance to
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Reign
On 8 July 1853 his father died, and Charles Alexander became
Grand Duke; but he stopped his constitutional accession until
Goethe's birthday, on 28 August 1853.
Grand Duke; but he stopped his constitutional accession until
Goethe's birthday, on 28 August 1853.
Charles Alexander renovated Wartburg Castle, and left his
traces in many places in Eisenach.
traces in many places in Eisenach.
He was the protector of Richard Wagner and Franz Liszt, retained
the tradition of Weimar's classical period, and gave the old
part of Weimar a new and better appearance with the
establishment of the Herder monument, and the double
monument for Goethe and Schiller.
the tradition of Weimar's classical period, and gave the old
part of Weimar a new and better appearance with the
establishment of the Herder monument, and the double
monument for Goethe and Schiller.
In 1860, he founded the Weimar Saxon-Grand Ducal Art School
(with Arnold Böcklin, Franz von Lenbach and the plastic
artist Reinhold Begas).
(with Arnold Böcklin, Franz von Lenbach and the plastic
artist Reinhold Begas).
As Grand Duke he was automatically rector, president of
Jena University where he supported especially the
collections among them prominently the
Oriental Coin Cabinet.
Jena University where he supported especially the
collections among them prominently the
Oriental Coin Cabinet.
In the Franco-Prussian War (1870–1871), Charles Alexander
participated only in "Samaritan"; stressed, however,
for his war entrance in favor of Schleswig in 1849.
participated only in "Samaritan"; stressed, however,
for his war entrance in favor of Schleswig in 1849.
The Weimar Congress of the Goethe Federation (opposing the
Lex Heinze) occurred towards the end of his reign, in
November 1900 - that congress described his government
as the Silver Age of Weimar.
Lex Heinze) occurred towards the end of his reign, in
November 1900 - that congress described his government
as the Silver Age of Weimar.
Grand Duke Charles Alexander, married to Sophie van Oranje-Nassau,
was a regular guest of the Kurhaus during the summer season.
He also stayed there for official visits, for example in 1898 in
connection with the accession to the throne of Queen Wilhelmina
of the Netherlands, then accompanied by his daughter Elisabeth
_b_645.jpg)
Love and Marriage
At Kneuterdijk Palace in The Hague, on 8 October 1842,
Charles Alexander married with his first cousin,
Princess Sophie of the Netherlands, daughter of
William II and Grand Duchess Anna Pavlovna of Russia,
sister of his mother. They had four children:
Charles Alexander married with his first cousin,
Princess Sophie of the Netherlands, daughter of
William II and Grand Duchess Anna Pavlovna of Russia,
sister of his mother. They had four children:
1/ Karl August , Hereditary Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
2/ Marie Anna Alexandrine Sophie Auguste Helene
known as Marie; married on 6 February 1876 to
Prince Heinrich VII Reuss of Köstritz.
known as Marie; married on 6 February 1876 to
Prince Heinrich VII Reuss of Köstritz.
3/ Maria Anna Sophia Elisabeth Bernhardine Ida
Auguste Helene, known as Anna.
Auguste Helene, known as Anna.
4/ Elisabeth Sibylle Maria Dorothea Anna Amalie Luise
known as Elisabeth; married on 6 November 1886 to
Duke Johann Albrecht of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
known as Elisabeth; married on 6 November 1886 to
Duke Johann Albrecht of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
Death
He died at Weimar in 1901. Following his death,
he was succeeded as Grand Duke by his grandson Wilhelm Ernst,
his only son Carl August having predeceased him.
he was succeeded as Grand Duke by his grandson Wilhelm Ernst,
his only son Carl August having predeceased him.
Comments