Ernest Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg

Ernest Ferdinand of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel-Bevern (4 March 1682 in Osterholz – 14 April 1746 in Brunswick) was a titular Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg. He was Prince of Brunswick-Bevern and founder of the younger Brunswick-Bevern line.

Life He was born in 1682 as the fourth son of Duke Ferdinand Albert I of Brunswick-Bevern and his wife, Landgravine Christine of Hesse-Eschwege. On 1 May 1706, he became a colonel in the Prussian army. In December of that year he succeeded his twin brother, Ferdinand Christian (d. 1706) as provost of the chapters of St. Blaise and St. Cyriakus in Brunswick.

On 1 March 1735, his elder brother, Duke Ferdinand Albert II of Brunswick-Bevern inherited Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. Ferdinand Albert II then gave Brunswick-Bevern to Ernest Ferdinand as an apanage.

Ernest Ferdinand died in Brunswick in 1746. He was the founder of the younger Brunswick-Bevern line, which died out with the death of his son Frederick Charles Ferdinand in 1809

Marriage and issue

On 4 August 1714, he married Eleonore Charlotte of Courland (1686-1748), daughter of Frederick Casimir Kettler, with whom he had thirteen children: August William (1715-1781) Christine Sophie (22 January 1717 - 26 March 1779), married Margrave Frederick Ernest of Brandenburg-Kulmbach (1703-1762) Frederica (August 29 1719 - 19 December 1772), never married, no issue. George Louis (16 April 1721 - 28 October 1747), father of Danish courtesan Støvlet-Cathrine Benthagen, he had no further issue. Ernestine (16 April 1721) died at birth. George Frederick (18 April 1723 - 15 June 1766) died unmarried without issue. Amalia (1 December 1724 - 30 January 1726) died in early childhood. Charles William (9 January 1725) died at birth. Frederick August (7 March 1726 - 1 June 1729) died in early childhood. Anne Marie (26 May 1728 - 12 March 1754) died unmarried, without issue. Frederick Charles Ferdinand (1729-1809), Danish Marshal John Charles (5 April 1731 - 5 May 1732) died in early childhood.

Ancestors