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Frederick III, German Emperor

New Palace, 18 Oct 1831 – New Palace, 15 Jun 1888

10 facts3 sources

Animated by AI

About Frederick

Frederick III: A 99-Day Reign

AI-assisted · edited

The collection records Frederick III’s probable birth in 1831 at the New Palace and his probable death there in 1888. 12

In 1888, Frederick III held the two offices of German Emperor and King of Prussia. The collection’s summary states that he reigned for 99 days, from March until his death that June, during the “Year of the Three Emperors.” 345

Frederick III was a son of Wilhelm I, the German emperor, and Augusta of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. The account also describes him as Wilhelm I’s only son and says that he was raised in the family tradition of military service. 675

Drafted with AI and edited against the collection. Open a citation to see the record, its sources and how certain it is.

Facts and their sources

  • Born18 Oct 1831, New Palacenot verified1 source
  • TitleKing of Prussia, 1888or German Emperor, 1888not verified1 source
  • TitleGerman Emperor, 1888or King of Prussia, 1888not verified1 source
  • Died15 Jun 1888, New Palacenot verified1 source
  • FatherWilhelm Inot verified1 source
  • MotherAugusta of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenachnot verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 18 Oct 1831

    Born in New Palace

  2. 1859–1872

    8 children are born

  3. 1888

    King of Prussia

  4. 1888

    German Emperor

  5. 15 Jun 1888

    Dies in New Palace, aged 56

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partner

Children · 8

During his lifetime

He lived through 6 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around New Palace.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1830s · Frederick is born in New Palace

In the news1834

Zollverein customs union founded in 1834

The Zollverein was founded to eliminate customs duties between German states, fostering economic integration under Prussian leadership.

Getting around

Difficult and slow travel by stagecoach

Traveling by stagecoach in Prussia was often grueling and uncomfortable due to poorly maintained, unpaved roads and cramped, unsprung carriages. A journey from Berlin to Königsberg, spanning 565 kilometers, typically took ten to eleven days by post coach.

Around the world1825–1830

The first passenger railway

In England a steam locomotive pulled the first public train in 1825; within decades railways crossed every continent.

Daily life

Homes heated by smoky, open hearths

Peasant homes often lacked chimneys, relying on open hearths that provided both light and heat while filling the living space with smoke. Small bundles of green pine brush, known as Kulelkes, were commonly used as fuel for these fires.

What people wore

Saving fabric with the Magsachte patch

Women saved money on expensive fabric by sewing a hidden patch of coarser linen, called a Magsachte, onto their dresses where it would be covered by an apron.

Music

The noisy brummtopf folk instrument

The brummtopf was a peculiar noise-making instrument used by groups of young people during winter festivities; it was made of a small wooden barrel covered with calfskin and played by rubbing horsehair strands inserted into the skin with wet hands.

At the table

Potato schnapps among common men

Potato schnapps was a popular and widespread drink among common men in East Prussia, so much so that some would sell their last chicken to afford it.