Frederick V of Denmark

Best known as: Danish king

Born: March 31, 1723 in Copenhagen, Denmark

Died: January 14, 1766 in Copenhagen, Denmark

Resting place: Roskilde Cathedral, Roskilde, Denmark

Biography:

The boy who would become King Frederick V was born in 1723 to Crown Prince Christian and Princess Sophie Magdalene. His grandfather, Frederik IV, was king of Denmark-Norway (at the time, the two countries were one kingdom). He had two younger sisters, both named Louise, the first of whom died as an infant. When he was seven, his grandfather died, his father ascended to the throne, and he became Crown Prince. Frederick's education included history, literature, reading, and writing, but he was not academically inclined and did not make a great student. Like the rest of the royal family, his native language was German. He learned French, Latin, and a little bit of Danish. His parents were strict and very religious and tried to instill traditional values in him, but he turned out to be very different from his parents. As he grew up, he became interested in wine, women, and hunting, which remained his main passions throughout his life.

In 1743 Frederick married Princess Louise of Great Britain, with whom he eventually had five children: Christian (died as a toddler), Sophia Magdalena, Wilhelmina, another Christian, and Louise. Frederick also had a girlfriend named Else Hansen, with whom he had five additional children.

Frederick became king upon the death of his father on August 6, 1746. His formal coronation took place on September 4, 1747. He ruled over Denmark-Norway for 20 years, living and working at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen. In general, he wasn't known for being a particularly strong king. He tended to spend more time drinking, hunting, and throwing wild parties than ruling. Although he participated in council meetings, his advisors made many decisions for him. These advisors included Adam Gottlob Moltke, who was appointed Lord Chamberlain, Count Johann Hartwig Ernst von Bernstorff, and Heinrich Carl von Schimmelmann.

Despite this, Frederick's reign was overall a successful and happy one, marked by art, culture, education, economic prosperity, and peace. His parents had sharply curtailed freedom of expression and the performing arts, but he lifted these restrictions. In 1748, for example, the Royal Danish Theater was founded. Additionally, Frederick founded the Royal Frederiks Hospital and the Royal Orphanage in 1753, as well as establishing Denmark's first lottery, called the Royal Copenhagen Lottery, that same year. The Royal Danish Academy of Art opened on March 31, 1754, Frederick's 31st birthday. Later that year, Frederick purchased the Danish West Indies from the Danish West India Company. Throughout Frederick's reign, Denmark-Norway managed to maintain a policy of neutrality towards all nations, including during the Seven Years' War (1756-1763). Commerce prospered during this time, and gunpowder and cannons became major industries for the kingdom.

In 1751, Queen Louise suddenly died, and Frederick married Duchess Juliana Maria of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel the following year. Although Louise had been very popular among everyone at court, Juliana had a more serious and reserved personality and wasn't as well-liked. She and Frederick had one son together, who was known as Hereditary Prince Frederick. Around this time, Frederick met another girlfriend, Charlotte Amalie Winge.

In 1760, Frederick broke his leg in an accident while drunk, and he never recovered completely. His advisors, especially Moltke, took an even larger role in managing the kingdom as Frederick's health declined. He became very sick in 1765 and died in 1766 at the age of 42. He was buried in Roskilde Cathedral alongside his first wife, Louise. He was succeeded by his oldest son, Christian VII.

Personality:

Frederik V was fun-loving and sensual. Although not particularly responsible, dilligent, or studious, he seems to have been good-natured and kind, and as a result was a popular ruler.

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Pictures:

Little Frederik

Portrait of Frederik V by Carl Gustaf Pilo

Frederik V on horseback by Johan Friedrich Gerhard

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