Augustus William, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel

Augustus William, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg.

Augustus William, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (German: August Wilhelm) (8 March 1662 – 23 March 1731) ruled over the Wolfenbüttel subdivision of the duchy from 1714 until his death.

Augustus William was the third son of Anthony Ulrich, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg. Unlike his father, he was not interested in politics, and left decisions to corrupt ministers. Even though he was married three times, he died childless in 1731 and was succeeded by his younger brother, Louis Rudolph. Despite his marriages, he claimed to have been introduced to the "art" of same-sex attraction in Venice; later falling in love with Charles Louis of the Palatinate.

Family

1. In 1681, he married Christine Sophie (1654–1695), daughter of Rudolph Augustus, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg.
2. In 1695, he married to Sophie Amalie (1670–1710), daughter of Christian Albert, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp.
3. In 1710, he married to Elisabeth Sophie Marie (1683–1767), daughter of Prince Rudolph Frederick of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderborg-Norburg.

References

• Article in Zedler's Universal-Lexicon (in German)
• At the House of Welf site (in German)

Augustus William, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel House of Welf Cadet branch of the House of Este Born: 8 March 1662 in Wolfenbüttel Died: 23 March 1731
Regnal titles
Preceded by Anthony Ulrich	Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel 1714–1731	Succeeded by Louis Rudolph