Frederick VII of Denmark - Definition and Overview

Frederick VII (October 6, 1808 - November 15, 1863) was the last king of Denmark to rule as an absolute monarch. He reigned from 1848 until his death. During his rule, he signed a constitution that gave Denmark a government and made the country a constitutional monarchy, which at that time meant that only mature males possessing land would be able to vote. The constitution was signed as a result of the peaceful revolution of March.

Frederick was married three times, and had numerous affairs to boot, but was apparently sterile...the fact that he reached middle age without producing an heir meant that king Frederick VI's nephew prince Christian of Glücksburg (1818-1906) was chosen to suceed him in 1852, and when Frederick died in 1863, Christian took the throne as Christian IX.

Frederick's motto was: "The love of the nation; my strength."