Henry, Duke of Anhalt-Köthen
Henry | |
---|---|
Duke of Anhalt-Köthen | |
Reign | 1830–1847 |
Predecessor | Frederick Ferdinand |
Successor | Anhalt unified |
Born | 30 July 1778 Pless |
Died | 23 November 1847 Köthen |
Spouse | Princess Auguste Friederike Reuss of Köstritz |
House | House of Ascania |
Father | Frederick Erdmann, Prince of Anhalt-Pless |
Mother | Louise Ferdinande |
Henry of Anhalt-Köthen (30 July 1778 – 23 November 1847) was a German prince of the House of Ascania, ruler of the non-sovereign principality of Anhalt-Pless and the last ruler of the duchy of Anhalt-Köthen.
Life
He was the fourth (but third surviving) son of Frederick Erdmann, Prince of Anhalt-Pless, by his wife, Louise Ferdinande, daughter of Henry Ernest, Count of Stolberg-Wernigerode.
In 1796, he joined the
After his elder brother Frederick Ferdinand inherited Anhalt-Köthen in 1818, Henry assumed the government over the state country of Pless. When Frederick Ferdinand died in 1830, Henry succeeded him in Köthen, whereas he left Pless to his younger brother Louis, who died in 1841 without heirs. Henry reassumed his rulership over Pless until his death.
In
Since his youth, Henry was a strong advocate of homeopathy. In 1821, he took under his protection its creator, Samuel Hahnemann, who remained with his large family in Köthen for the next fourteen years as Henry's physician.
In 1830, Henry was made a knight of the
With him, the line of Anhalt-Köthen became extinct. On his death, the duchy was inherited by his kinsmen Alexander Karl of Anhalt-Bernburg and Leopold IV of Anhalt-Dessau. However, Alexander renounced his rights over Köthen on behalf of Leopold IV since it was clear that his eventual assumption of all the Anhalt lands was inevitable.
The principality of