Albert

Albert, last grand-master of the Teutonic Order, and first Duke of Prussia, was born in 1490. He was the son of the Margrave of Anspach. In 1511 he was chosen grand-master of the Teutonic Order. He threw himself into the cause of the Reformation, which had rapidly spread into Prussia and broken the last strength of the Teutonic Order, whose possessions now appeared a certain prey to Poland. Acting upon Luther's advice, he declared himself secular Duke of Prussia, and placed his land under the sovereignty of Sigismund of Poland in 1525, and the Teutonic Order tried in vain to drive him out. During the remainder of his life, Albert zealously sought to further the welfare of his duchy. He established many schools, and founded in 1544 the university of Königsberg. But conflicts with the nobles, and embittered theological disputes, saddened the close of his life. He died of the plague in 1568. See PRUSSIA, TEUTONIC KNIGHTS.