Augustus

Augustus, Elector of Saxony (1553-86), was born July 31, 1526, at Freiberg, and spent much of his boyhood at Prague, where he formed an intimate friendship with Maximilian, King Ferdinand's son, afterwards Emperor of Germany. In 1548 he married Anna, daughter of Christian III. of Denmark, who was universally popular on account of her devoted adherence to Lutheranism and her domestic worth. After the death of his brother Maurice in 1553, Augustus succeeded to the electorate. His rule is chiefly noticeable as bearing upon the history of the newly established Protestant Church. Equally intolerant and inconsistent in his theology, Augustus first used his utmost influence in favour of the Calvinistic doctrine of the sacraments; and then, in 1574, adopted the Lutheran tenets, and persecuted the Calvinists. On the other hand, it must be owned that he introduced valuable reforms in both jurisprudence and finance, and gave a decided impetus to education, agriculture, manufactures, and commerce. The Dresden Library owes its origin to him, as do also most of its galleries of art and science. He died at Dresden, February 11, 1586, and was succeeded by his son, Christian I.