[January 2] Frederick William IV, king of Prussia

Parents: Frederick William III, king of Prussia, and Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz

Date of Birth: 15 October 1795

Royal House: Hohenzollern

Spouse: Elisabeth Ludovika, daughter of Maximilian I Joseph, king of Bavaria, and Caroline of Baden

Reign: 1840 – 1861
Predecessor: Frederick William III

Summary: Frederick William IV was an interesting monarch. He did little to advance Prussia's power in Germany while he did much to maintain the conservatism of the other royal houses within his country. He agreed to grant a constitution over Prussia but would not allow for a popular assembly. He achieved fame during the Revolutions of 1848, when he decided against the techniques of his other European colleagues and joined in the revolt.

In 1848, Frederick William IV called the first popular assembly in Prussia's history. He proclaimed his support for a unified German state, formed a liberal (modern) government, and ordered the writing of a national Prussian constitution. When the movement ended late that year, Frederick William renounced some of his proclamations. He presided over the Frankfurt Parliament on unification the following April, but refused the German crown when it was offered to him stating that he would not accept "a crown from the gutter." He did follow through with his promise of a constitution and assembly but denied the public universal suffrage preferring instead to only allow taxpayers to elect officials. The king also retained many rights to himself, thereby minimizing the authority of the assembly. A stroke in 1857 left Frederick William's brother in charge of the state as regent until the king died in 1861, at which point William became king.

Date of Death: 2 January 1861

Successor: William I

Other Monarchs Who Died Today:

• Svante, regent of Sweden (1512)