The New International Encyclopædia/Frederick, Christian August

FREDERICK, Christian August (1829-80). Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg, and claimant to the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. He was born on the island of Alsen, and was educated at Bonn. After the unsuccessful revolt of Schleswig-Holstein against Danish rule, the ducal family was banished. Frederick enjoyed great popularity with the people, however, and when, after the war of 1864, the rule of Denmark in the duchies was terminated, he triumphantly entered Kiel, where he was eagerly welcomed. Numerous political complications now arose which prevented the formal reinstatement of the dynasty. By the terms of the Treaty of Vienna (October, 1864), the duchies had been relinquished to Prussia and Austria, to be disposed of by them. Prussia, however, was not inclined to permit the creation of a new German State, and imposed conditions upon Frederick which made it impossible for him to assume the government. After the Peace of Prague, which terminated the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, the lands were finally absorbed into the Kingdom of Prussia. Frederick subsequently served on the staff of the Crown Prince, Frederick William of Prussia, during the Franco-German War of 1870-71. His daughter, Augusta Victoria, became the wife of Emperor William II. of Germany.