1 June

Archduke Ferdinand of Habsburg-Lorraine was born on the 1st of June 1754. He was the second youngest son of Maria Theresa and Francis Stephen.

It is challenging to find clearly distinguished traits in Ferdinand’s character, which seemed rather pale and inexpressive. He was said to be the least promising among the imperial siblings. His elder brother Leopold, Duke of Tuscany, called him weak, pig-headed, and even a booby. This may have been a bit harsh, though; however, the Empress, too, was constantly worrying about Ferdinand’s bad habits, laziness, lack of self-discipline, and his fondness for theatre and performances, which paired with his indifference and carelessness in state affairs.

The last, in fact, was not exactly a major problem. As Duke of Modena, Ferdinand was rather a representative of his mother than an independent ruler. Even that position and title he owed to his spouse Maria Beatrice d’Este, the heiress of Modena. She was a sensible and strong-willed lady, able to firmly bridle the government as well as her husband. Through their elder son and successor to the throne of Modena, they became the ancestors of the Austria-Este line of the Habsburg family.