Louisa

Louisa, queen of Prussia, was born 10th March 1776, at Hanover, where her father, Duke Karl of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, was then commandant. She was married to the Crown-prince of Prussia, afterwards Frederick-William III., on 24th December 1793, and was the mother of Frederick-William IV. and William III., afterwards emperor. After her husband's accession to the throne she became exceedingly popular, her great beauty being united with dignity and grace of manners, and with much gentleness of character and active benevolence. This popularity was increased by her conduct during the period of national calamity that followed the battle of Jena, when she displayed not only a patriotic spirit, but no little energy and resolution. She especially endeared herself to her people by her bearing when compelled to endure insult at the hands of Napoleon. She died in Strelitz, 19th July 1810. The Prussian Order of Louisa, the Louisa School for girls, and the Louisa Governesses' Seminary were instituted in her honour. There is a beautiful monument and portrait-statue of her by Rauch in the mansoleum at Charlottenburg. See her Life and Times, by E. H. Hudson (1877), and German works by Horn (1883) and Martin (1887).