Paul Friedrich I, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin

Paul Friedrich (15 September 1800 – 7 March 1842) ruled as Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin from 1837 to 1842.

Early life Paul Friedrich was born in Ludwigslust on 15 September 1800. He was the son of Friedrich Ludwig, Hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna of Russia. From his parents' marriage, he had a sister, Marie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, who married Georg, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg. After his mother's death in 1803, his father married Princess Caroline Louise of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (daughter of Charles Augustus, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach) in 1810. Only one child survived to adulthood, his half-sister, Hélène of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, who married Prince Ferdinand Philippe, Duke of Orléans (eldest son of King Louis Philippe I of France). After Princess Caroline died in 1816, his father married her first cousin, Landgravine Auguste of Hesse-Homburg, who became stepmother to his surviving children.

His paternal grandparents were Frederick Francis I, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and Princess Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg. His maternal grandparents were Duchess Sophie Dorothea of Württemberg and Tsar Paul I of Russia; he was the only surviving grandchild born during the Tsar's lifetime.

He was educated at Geneva, Jena and Rostock. Upon the death of his father, the Hereditary Grand Duke, in 1819, Paul Friedrich became heir-apparent to the throne of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

Career On 1 February 1837 he succeeded his grandfather, Friedrich Franz I. His reign saw improvements in the infrastructure and judicial system of the Grand Duchy, as well as a change in the government's seat of residence from Ludwigslust to Schwerin. Nonetheless, Paul Friedrich was largely interested only in military matters and spent most of his time drilling his troops. As Paul Friedrich reached his middle age, he adopted a more reclusive lifestyle, preferring only the company of his mistress. Duchess Luise of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1824–1859), who married Hugo, 2nd Prince of Windisch-Graetz, second son of Weriand, 1st Prince of Windisch-Graetz. After her death in 1859, he married Princess Matilda Radziwill, the daughter of Prince Friedrich Wilhelm Radziwill, 14th Duke of Nieśwież (eldest son of Prince Antoni Radziwiłł), and Princess Mathilde Christina of Clary-Aldringen, in 1867. Duke Wilhelm of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1827–1879), who married Princess Alexandrine of Prussia, daughter of Prince Albert of Prussia and Princess Marianne of the Netherlands.

Paul Friedrich also had issue with his mistress, Countess Catharina von Hauke, daughter of Johann Mauritz Hauke and sister of Princess Julia of Battenberg, including:

Catharina (1830–1834), who died young. Paul Friedrich (1832–1903), who married Countess Maria Anna van Nieppell. Alexander (1833–1833), who died young. Helene Catharina (1835–1915), who died unmarried.

Paul Friedrich died in 1842 of a cold caught while rushing to a fire in his capital city.

Descendants Through his daughter Luise, he was a grandfather of Hugo, 3rd Prince of Windisch-Graetz and Princess Marie of Windisch-Graetz.

Ancestors