Archduke Wilhelm Franz of Austria

Who was Archduke Wilhelm Franz of Austria?

Archduke Wilhelm Franz Karl of Austria-Teschen was an Archduke of Austria from the Habsburg dynasty.

He was born in Vienna as the son of Archduke Charles, Duke of Teschen and Princess Henrietta of Nassau-Weilburg. He was a grandson of Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor and nephew of Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor.

He held the office of Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights in 1863. He gained the rank of General Field Marshal in the service of the Austrian Army. He was Governor of the Federal Fortress of Mainz.

Archduke Wilhelm of Austria died unmarried and without issue on July 29, 1894 in Weikersdorf after falling from a horse. He had been riding in Baden when his horse was frightened by an "electric car." The horse bolted, and the Archduke was thrown. One of his feet remained stuck in the stirrup, and he was dragged more than 100 yards. He died without regaining consciousness. His death was attributed to a concussion on the brain. The archduke was 67-years-old.