Author: Vincent W. Rospond

Frederick II (24 January 1712–17 August 1786) was King in Prussia (1740–1786) from the Hohenzollern dynasty. He is best known for his brilliance in military campaigning and organization of Prussian armies. He became known as Frederick the Great and was nicknamed Der Alte Fritz (“Old Fritz”). Interested primarily in music and philosophy and not the arts of war during his youth, Frederick unsuccessfully attempted to flee from his authoritarian father, Frederick William I. Upon ascending to the Prussian throne, he attacked Austria and claimed Silesia, winning military acclaim for himself and Prussia. Near the end of his life, Frederick physically connected most of his realm by conquering Polish territories in the First Partition of Poland.