Wilhelm, Duke of Urach

Who was Wilhelm, Duke of Urach?

Count Friedrich Wilhelm Alexander Ferdinand of Württemberg, 1st Duke of Urach, was the son of Duke Wilhelm of Württemberg, younger brother of King Frederick I of Württemberg, by his morganatic wife, Baroness Wilhelmine von Tunderfeldt-Rhodis, who had married in 1800.He was the first Head of the House of Urach.

Wilhelm served as a cavalry officer in the army of the then-independent Kingdom of Württemberg. He also tested cannon for the Army of Württemberg, some of which can still be seen at Lichtenstein Castle, which he substantially rebuilt in the 1840s. He was inspired by the romantic historical novel Lichtenstein by Wilhelm Hauff. Hauff was in turn inspired by the works of Walter Scott. He was created Duke of Urach on 28 March 1867, with the style of Serene Highness.

Wilhelm was a junior member of the royal family of Württemberg. He was a nephew of King Frederick, and was a first cousin of King William I of Württemberg.