Friedrich Karl von Schönborn

Who was Friedrich Karl von Schönborn?

Friedrich Karl von Schönborn was the Prince-Bishop of Würzburg and Prince-Bishop of Bamberg from 1729 to 1746.

Friedrich Karl von Schönborn was born in Mainz on March 3, 1674, the second son of Melchior Frederick, Count of Schönborn and his wife, Maria Anna Sophia von Boineburg. Friedrich Karl was the nephew of Lothar Franz von Schönborn, Archbishop-Elector of Mainz. Friedrich Karl's older brother Johann Philipp Franz von Schönborn was one of his predecessors as Prince-Bishop of Würzburg; his younger brother Damian Hugo Philipp von Schönborn became Prince-Bishop of Speyer and his youngest brother Franz Georg von Schönborn became Archbishop-Elector of Trier.

In 1681, he was sent to study at the Jesuit school at Aschaffenburg. He received the minor orders in 1701. He became a canon of Würzburg Cathedral in 1704, and a canon of Bamberg Cathedral in 1705.

In 1705, he became Vice-Chancellor for Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor; he held this post under Joseph and his successor, Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor, until 1731. He was appointed coadjutor bishop of Bamberg on December 13, 1708, with Pope Clement XI confirming his appointment on May 19, 1710.