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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

Faster express coaches were costly

The introduction of the "Diligence" or express post coach in 1821 allowed for faster travel at speeds of around 10 km/h, making trips of 100 km possible in a single day. However, travel remained expensive, with a short trip from Berlin to Magdeburg costing four talers, nearly a schoolteacher's monthly salary.

At the table

Daily wheat cake despite poverty

In some villages, even the poorest people ate wheat cake daily, fresh from the oven, which was criticized by doctors for supposedly damaging their digestion.

Photography is born. The daguerreotype was presented in Paris: for the first time a face or a street could be kept exactly as it looked.Around the world · 1839

Photography is born. The daguerreotype was presented in Paris: for the first time a face or a street could be kept exactly as it looked.

Unknown · public domain

What people wore

Head-carried baskets with embroidered rings

Deliverers carried their goods in round white baskets called Mange on their heads, supported by embroidered cloth rings that served as both cushions and decorative accessories.

Music

Daily castle tower music in Königsberg

City tower musicians performed chorales daily from Königsberg's castle tower, such as 'Ich weiß mein Gott, daß all mein Tun' at 11 am and 'Nun ruhen alle Wälder' at 9 pm.

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.