Frederick III.,

Frederick III., of Denmark, was born in 1609, succeeded to the throne in 1648, and died in 1670. His reign was rendered memorable by the change effected in the constitution (see DENMARK).—FREDERICK V. (1723–66) ascended the throne in 1746, and proved one of the best and wisest monarchs of his time. Denmark owed to him the increase of her national wealth, and the establishment of various branches of commerce and manufacture. He established an Asiatic Company, opened the American colonial trade to all his subjects, encouraged painting and sculpture, and sent a learned commission to travel and make explorations in Egypt and the East.—FREDERICK VI. (1768–1839) assumed the regency of the kingdom in 1784, on account of the insanity of his father, on whose death in 1808 he ascended the throne. In his reign feudal serfdom was abolished, the criminal code amended, and the slave-trade prohibited in the Danish colonies. For his luckless participation in the Napoleonic wars, and for the constitution which he granted in 1831, see DENMARK.—FREDERICK VII. (1808–63), who succeeded in 1848, was the last of the Oldenburg line (see DENMARK). The principal events of his reign were the wars and diplomatic negotiations arising out of the revolt of the duchies of Holstein and Sleswick (see SLESWICK-HOLSTEIN).