Frederick the Great was the Hohenzollern King of Prussia from 1740 to 1786 and is regarded as one of the "enlightened despots" of 18th century Europe. He was highly educated and built his government as a model of efficiency, creating the first modern bureaucracy. Frederick was also an excellent military commander and tactician under whose leadership Prussia became a recognized power in Europe. Because of his accomplishments he became known as Frederick the Great (Friedrich der Große). He was nicknamed der alte Fritz ("Old Fritz").
Niccolò Machiavelli
In 1498, Niccolò Machiavelli began his career as an active politician in the independent city-state of Florence, engaging in diplomatic missions through France and German...
George I of Great Britain
George I was the first Hanoverian King of Great Britain and King of Ireland, from 1 August 1714 until his death. He was also the Archbannerbearer (afterwards Archtreasure...
Voltaire, Author and Philosopher
"Those who can make you believe absurdities
can make you commit atrocities." Francois Marie Arouet (pen name Voltaire) was born on November 21, 1694 in Paris. Voltaire'...
Maria Theresa, Empress of Austria
Empress Maria Theresa was the first and only female head of the Habsburg dynasty. She was Archduchess of Austria, and Queen of Hungary and Bohemia and ruler of other terr...
