Frederick II, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin

Frederick II, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, called the Pious, (; 9 November 171721 April 1785) was Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin from 1756 until his death.

Early life Frederick was born at Schwerin, the son of Christian Ludwig II, Duke of Mecklenburg, and his wife, Duchess Gustave Caroline of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

In his childhood and youth his great-aunt Duchess Augusta of Mecklenburg-Güstrow had great influence on the intellectual and spiritual development of Frederick, essentially in instilling the beliefs of Pietism.

Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin After the death of his father in 1756, Frederick assumed the government of the Duchy. Shortly after his accession the country was involved in the Seven Years' War.

Frederick was a supporter of Pietism. He encouraged the school system, promoted textile manufacturing and abolished torture. In 1764 he moved his residence from Schwerin to Schloss Ludwigslust. In 1765 he ordered the construction of the Imperial Church (completed in 1770, now the City Church) by architect Johann Joachim Busch, and he continued the expansion of Schloss Ludwigslust between 1772 and 1776.

Marriage Frederick was married on 2 March 1746 at Schwedt to Duchess Louise Frederica of Württemberg, the daughter of Frederick Louis, Hereditary Prince of Württemberg, and his wife Margravine Henrietta Maria of Brandenburg-Schwedt. They had no children.

At his death, the duchy was inherited by his nephew Frederick Francis, a son of his brother Louis.

Ancestry