- Berlin, Prussia
- January 24, 1712 – Born
Life Sketch from The Other Eminent Men of Wilford Woodruff
King of Prussia 1712-1786 Copyright © Taken from the book: The Other Eminent Men of Wilford Woodruff. Special thanks to Vicki Jo Anderson. Please do not copy. Frederick the Great is one of the eminent spirits who appeared to President Wilford Woodruff in the St. George Temple (Latter-day Saint, LDS) on August 21, 1877. This interesting story is detailed in the Eminent Spirits Appear to Wilford Woodruff wiki. A student of history, Frederick II of Prussia, often called Frederick the Great, concluded that history was an excellent teacher but drew few pupils. He wrote: “It is in the nature of man that no one learns from experience. The follies of the father are lost on their children; each generation has to commit its own.” Frederick’s own knowledge of history led him to establish a new era. In his memoirs of the House of Brandenburg, written in 1758, he wrote a startling new philosophy of state that the ruler was in reality the servant of his state. The concept of royalty serving the people was unknown to the people of that age. Frederick helped inaugurate the age of enlightenment. The rulers of state could not easily turn their backs on this leadership style for Frederick proved it so highly successful. The grand enterprise of Frederick, on of this biographers, Thomas Carlyle, tells us, was making the populace happy. He proclaimed to the public of Berlin: “Our grand care will be further the Country’s well being, and to make every one of our subject contented and happy. Our will is, not that you strive to enrich us by vexation of our subjects; but rather you aim steadily as well towards that advantage of the country…” He further wrote: “My will henceforth is if it ever chance that my particular interest and the general good of my countries should seam to go against each other, –in that case, my will is, that the latter preferred.” Unlike many rulers, Frederick meant what he said. The day after his ascension to the throne, he began his startling reforms.
“A man that seeks truth, and loves it, must be reckoned precious in any human society.”
– Frederick the Great
That first year Prussia experienced an extremely cold summer. Many of the crops froze, and famine threatened parts of the land. Frederick opened the public granaries and ordered grain to be sold at reasonable rates to the suffering poor.
As King of Prussia

Frederick the Great
Education
Education was especially important to him, and in this cause he was very active. Every child in Prussia, from five to fourteen was to attend school. It is said that he founded as many as sixty schools in one year. Because of his military leanings, old soldiers were appointed as schoolmasters and Latin was dropped from curriculum. Much of the learning was in military drill style. Frederick wrote: “It is a good thing that the schoolmasters in the country teach the youngsters religion and morals….” Frederick’s love for education was formed in his youth by his mother and his tutors. He long had the idea of building up or re-establishing the Academy of Sciences. When he became king he sought for the finest minds in Europe to come and teach and direct the Academy. Among those who came were Voltaire, the French philosopher, Maupertius, the brilliant scientist who became president of the Academy, and Herr Wolf, who had been exiled by Frederick’s father. As a youth Frederick had been rather free and easy-going, but upon assuming the crown many of his old friends were astonished to find him every inch a king. Many came to approach him in a casual way as they and done before and were instantly reproached for their lack of respect toward the position of the throne. It was not for himself that he made these demands, but out of respect for the throne he required it. Carlyle relates that one of Frederick’s old friends encouraged him to be vices with women in return for favors. But Frederick was born to be a king and a king he was. The old companion stood much reproved; it is reported that in despair he hung himself.
Sophie Dorthea of Hanover
Presumption of “Heartlessness”
Because of his restraint for the sake of the ruling position of the country, Frederick is often seen as heartless and without personal attachment. But there were two people we know for whom he held great tenderness and affection this was his sister and his mother. When his mother approached him after he had been made king, she addressed him as “Your Majesty.” He responded to her, “Call me son; that is the title of all others most agreeable to me!” He also refused to have her called “Queen Dowager” as was tradition for widowed queens. Her title was to be “Her Majesty the Queen Mother.” He never approached her except with his hat in his hand, and when in Berlin regardless of how busy he was, he seldom failed to visit her daily.Royal Family
Frederick’s mother was the Princess Sophia-Dorothea, daughter of King George I of England, who was actually a German from the Hanoverian line. Frederick was born on 12 January 1712. His father, Frederick William, was terribly disappointed in his son’s below average size. His father was further annoyed when his son spent his days in a dressing gown, reading French history, philosophy, and literature, and playing his flute. Frederick’s father was a man who loved military exactness and ran his family and country accordingly. He was especially fond of his palace guards, a crack regiment consisting of what was considered at that time as “giants.” All of the guards were over six feet tall. Frederick William had recruiters go through Europe continually seeking tall recruits for his regiment. He also built a fine army.Military
Though young Frederick wasn’t the least bit interested in military drill he was forced to memorize the entire military history of the royal family in detail. Because his father considered many of Frederick’s actions effeminate, he abused his son. He forbade Frederick, eventually, to read or study in French. And when he did not measure up, his father shouted at him in public and often as not, a handy item was thrown at him. Much to his militate father’s dismay Frederick learned to excel in playing the flute. His love of music extended into his reign. He composed over 120 songs in his free time. He constructed an opera house and brought in Italian operas. He was unceasing in his efforts to life his people. He loved to play flute sonatas with Johann Sebastian Back at the harpsichord.Escape and Capture

Execution of Lieutenant Latte
Freeing Silesia

Map of Silesia
Seven Years War
So began the Seven Years Wars, the war that changed the face of Europe, breaking down the old and setting up the new. Though Frederick’s army was set against the major armies of Europe, he prevailed, outnumbered by more that two to one. A brilliant strategist, he was not afraid of his purpose and personally led his army. In one skirmish he had two horses shot out from under him. His clothes were riddled by a hail of shrapnel. And once, as he took out his silver snuff-box, it was crushed by a bullet.
Attack of the Prussian Infantry
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