Adolf Frederick of Sweden
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Adolf Frederick (Adolf Fredrik) (May 14, 1710 – February 12, 1771), was King of Sweden from 1751 until his death. He was the son of Christian August von Schleswig-Holstein-Eutin (1673-1726) and Albertina Frederica von Baden-Durlach (1682-1755).
He was elected crown prince to the heirless king Frederick I of Sweden after the bungled war against Russia, which ended with losses in the Treaty of Turku 1745. He was a relative of the Russian monarch who just had won. On his mother's side, he descended from king Gustav I of Sweden and from a sister of Charles X of Sweden. Under his reign the nobles divided themselves into the two factions of the Caps, or the peace-party, and the Hats, or the war-party.
On August 18, 1744, he married Louisa Ulrika of Prussia (1720 - 1782) and they had the following children:
- (Stillborn) (1745)
- Gustav III (1746-1792)
- Charles XIII (1748-1818)
- Fredrik Adolf (1750-1803)
- Sophia Albertine (1753-1829)
Disputes between him and the political parties led to the attempt of a revolution in 1756. However, the revolution was exposed and a number of influential people were executed.
The king died of digestion problems on February 12, 1771 after having consumed a meal consisting of lobster, caviar, sour cabbage, smoked herring and champagne, which was topped off with 14 servings of his favourite dessert: semla served in a bowl of hot milk> He is thus remembered by Swedish schoolchildren as "the king who ate himself to death."
He was regarded, both during his time and in later times, as dependent on others, a weak ruler and lacking of any talents. But he was allegedly also a good husband, a caring father and a gentle master to his servants. His personal hospitality and friendliness were witnessed by many who deeply mourned him at his death.
His favourite pastime was to make snuff boxes, which he allegedly spent a great deal of time doing.
Johann Elias Ridinger etched an equestrian portrait of him when still being declared crown prince of Sweden and hereditary prince of Norway.
Template:Start box Template:Succession box Template:End boxda:Adolf Frederik af Sverige de:Adolf Friedrich fr:Adolphe Frédéric de Suède ja:アドルフ・フレデリック (スウェーデン王) no:Adolf Fredrik av Sverige fi:Aadolf Fredrik sv:Adolf Fredrik