Karl Theodor Anton Maria von Dalberg

Karl Theodor Anton Maria von Dalberg (1744–February 10, 1817) was Archbishop-Elector of Mainz, Arch-Chancellor of the Holy Roman Empire, and afterwards primate of the Confederation of the Rhine and Grand-Duke of Frankfort.

Related Topics:
1744 - February 10 - 1817 - Archbishop-Elector of Mainz - Arch-Chancellor - Holy Roman Empire - Confederation of the Rhine - Grand-Duke of Frankfort

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He was the son of Franz Heinrich, administrator of Worms, one of the chief counsellors of the Elector of Mainz. Karl had devoted himself to the study of canon law, and entered the church; and, having been appointed in 1772 governor of Erfurt, he won further advancement by his successful administration; in 1787 he was elected coadjutor of Mainz and of Worms, and in 1788 of Constance; in 1802 he became Archbishop-Elector of Mainz and Arch-Chancellor of the Empire.

Related Topics:
Worms - Elector - Mainz - Canon law - 1772 - Erfurt - 1787 - 1788 - Constance - 1802

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As statesman Dalberg was distinguished by his patriotic attitude, whether in ecclesiastical matters, in which he leaned to the Febronian view of a German national church, or in his efforts to galvanize the atrophied machinery of the Empire into some sort of effective central government of Germany. Failing in this, he turned to the rising star of Napoleon, believing that he had found in the truly great man, the mighty genius which governs the fate of the world, the only force strong enough to save Germany from dissolution.

Related Topics:
Febronian view - Germany - Napoleon

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By the peace of Lunéville, accordingly, though he had to surrender Worms and Constance, he retained Aschaffenburg and received Regensburg and Wetzlar. On the dissolution of the Empire in 1806 he formally resigned the office of Arch-Chancellor in a letter to the emperor Francis, and was appointed by Napoleon prince primate of the Confederation of the Rhine. In 1810, after the Treaty of Schönbrunn, the Grand-Duchy of Frankfort was created for his benefit out of his territories, which, in spite of the cession of Regensburg to Bavaria, were greatly augmented.

Related Topics:
Peace of Lunéville - Aschaffenburg - Regensburg - Wetzlar - 1806 - Francis - 1810 - Treaty of Schönbrunn - Bavaria

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In 1813 he resigned from all his offices, except the archbishopric of Regensburg, in favour of Napoleon's stepson Eugène de Beauharnais.

Related Topics:
1813 - Regensburg - Eugène de Beauharnais

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Dalberg's subservience, as a prince of the Confederation, to Napoleon was specially resented since, as a priest, he had no excuse of necessity on the ground of saving family or dynastic interests; his fortunes therefore fell with those of Napoleon.

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He died on 10 February, 1817 as Archbishop of Regensburg

Related Topics:
10 February - 1817

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Weak and shortsighted as a statesman, as a man and prelate Dalberg was amiable, conscientious and large-hearted. Himself a scholar and author, he was a notable patron of letters, and was the friend of Goethe, Schiller and Wieland, See Karl von Beaulieu-Marconnay, Karl von Dalberg und seine Zeit (Weimar, 1879).

Related Topics:
Goethe - Schiller - Wieland

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