Franz Karl, Archduke of Austria - Definition and Overview

Archduke Franz Karl Joseph of Austria (7 December 1802 - 8 March 1878) was father of two emperors and the grandfather of Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria, whose shooting was the occasion of the start of World War I.

He was born in Vienna, the second son of Emperor Franz I of Austria (1768-1835) and his wife Maria Theresa of the Two Sicilies (1772-1807).

On 4 November 1824 in Vienna he married Sophie Friederike Dorothee Wilhelmine Prinzessin von Bayern, the daughter of Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria (1756-1825) and his wife Karoline Frederike Wilhelmine of Baden (1776-1841).

Their children were:

• Franz Joseph of Austria (1830-1916)
• Maximilian I of Mexico (1832-1867)
• Karl Ludwig of Austria (1833-1896)
• Maria Anna of Austria (1835-1840)
• Ludwig Victor of Austria (1842-1919)

His wife died 28 May 1872 in Vienna. He died 8 March 1878 in Vienna.