The Tree of Europe · Person

Frederick William I of Prussia

«the Soldier King»

King of Prussia who built an austere administration and an exceptionally disciplined army. His state-building supplied Frederick the Great with powerful military and fiscal institutions.

1688 – 1740KingHohenzollern · ES

Explore this family · Spanish Atlas Back to people

Historical portraitPortrait of Frederick William I of PrussiaAntoine Pesne · c. 1733Public domain · PDM 1.0 · Source

This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.

Historical profile

Key details

Birth: 15 August 1688 Documented

Death: 31 May 1740 Documented

Role: King

Dynasty: Hohenzollern · ES

Territories: Prussia (ES) · Brandenburg (ES) · Cleves (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns

King · Prussia · Reign Documented1713–1740Effective rule

Elector · Brandenburg · Electorate Pending review1713–1740Effective rule

Duke · Cleves · Duchy Documented1713–1740Effective ruleA Hohenzollern duchy from the partition of 1614.

Family network

Recorded relationships

Parents

Frederick I of PrussiaDocumentedSophia Charlotte of Hanover · ESDocumented

Partners

Sophia Dorothea of Hanover · ESDocumented

Children

Louisa Ulrika of Prussia · ESFrederick II of PrussiaPrince Augustus William of Prussia · ES

Crowns and unions

Their titles over time

Follow the changing territories and offices of Frederick William I of Prussia. Each title retains its own status.

Period

Governments in 1713

Prussian monarchy3 titles and offices
View titles and jurisdictions
- Prussia · ESKing · Effective rule1713–1740
- Brandenburg · ESElector · Effective rule1713–1740
- Cleves · ESDuke · Effective rule1713–1740 · A Hohenzollern duchy from the partition of 1614.
From 1701 the electors of Brandenburg were kings in Prussia; their lands, including Silesia, conquered in 1742, shared a sovereign and an administration. Each territory retains its own title. Source for this grouping

Annual dates: overlap within one year does not prove that two offices were held on the same day. Regencies and co-rulerships retain their labels.

Documentation

Sources for this profile

Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.

Evidence for this profile

8 recorded claims · 1 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (2/2 with a precise source)

BirthDocumented
15 August 1688
The authority record gives the birth as 1688-08-15.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Friedrich Wilhelm I., Preußen, König · Vital data: birth date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
DeathDocumented
31 May 1740
The authority record gives the death as 1740-05-31.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Friedrich Wilhelm I., Preußen, König · Vital data: death date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Family and relationships (3/3 with a precise source)

FatherDocumented
Frederick I of Prussia
The authority record identifies Frederick I of Prussia (GND 118535730) as father.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Friedrich Wilhelm I., Preußen, König · Relationships: father → GND 118535730
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
MotherDocumented
Sophia Charlotte of Hanover
The authority record identifies Sophia Charlotte of Hanover (GND 118751530) as mother.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Friedrich Wilhelm I., Preußen, König · Relationships: mother → GND 118751530
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
Marriage or partnershipDocumented
Sophia Dorothea of Hanover
The authority record identifies Sophia Dorothea of Hanover (GND 118798022) as spouse.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Friedrich Wilhelm I., Preußen, König · Relationships: spouse → GND 118798022
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Governments (2/3 with a precise source)

GovernmentDocumented
King · Prussia · 1713–1740
The authority record dates this office to 1713–1740.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Friedrich Wilhelm I., Preußen, König · Biographical data: «Friedrich Wilhelm I. war von 1713 bis 1740 König von Preußen.»
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
GovernmentPending review
Elector · Brandenburg · 1713–1740
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·
GovernmentDocumented
Duke · Cleves · 1713–1740
Cleves, held by the Hohenzollerns since 1614, remained with the king of Prussia.
Treccani · Enciclopedia Italiana · Germania · The agreement of 1614 gave Cleves and Mark to Brandenburg.Treccani · Enciclopedia Italiana · Prussia · Ravensberg, Mark and Cleves are listed among the territories of Brandenburg-Prussia.
Reviewed on 2026-10-19 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Biographical and contextual references (2)

Editorial history

2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.

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