Adolph Duke of Nassau, Grand Duke of Luxembourg

Born: 24.07.1817 in Biebrich

died: 17.11.1905 in Hohenburg Castle near Lenggries (Upper Bavaria)

Growing up in Biebrich, Adolph, the eldest son of Duke Wilhelm zu Nassau, was specifically prepared for the monarch's profession from an early age. Tutors taught him the usual primary and secondary school subjects. In 1837, his father sent him and his younger brother to the University of Vienna, where he studied law and economics under the guidance of the conservative-legitimist constitutional lawyer Ernst Jarcke. However, he was more interested in parade rides, hunting and courtly societies than the sciences.

After the early death of his father, he had to take over from him at the age of 22 in 1839. Politically, he consistently continued his father's autocratic and absolutist line. However, his nature was much softer and less dominant.

In 1844, he married the Grand Duchess Elizaveta Mikhailovna Romanova(Elizabeth Duchess of Nassau), a niece of Tsar Nicholas I, in St. Petersburg. The young Duchess's early death and the short speech in which the Duke announced the adoption of the Nassau "Nine Demands" from the balcony of the City Palace on March 4, 1848(Revolution of 1848/49) have remained the most enduring memories. At heart, however, Adolph remained unswervingly committed to the monarchical principle and its unabridged implementation. This is demonstrated by the fierce disputes with the predominantly liberal members of the Nassau state parliament during the final phase of the duchy.

In 1851, Adolph married Princess Adelheid Marie von Anhalt-Dessau in his second marriage. Adolph's reign ended with the annexation of Nassau after the war lost on the side of Austria in 1866. A compensation agreement for 15 million fl. secured him a life befitting his rank in the future. He spent this mainly in Vienna and at Hohenburg Castle near Lenggries. He never set foot in his remaining palaces in Biebrich and Weilburg again.

A second career as regent opened up for him when King William III of the Netherlands, who was also Grand Duke of Luxembourg, died in 1890 without male heirs and Adolph was appointed Grand Duke of Luxembourg at an advanced age. The Nassau State Monument and Adolfsallee commemorate the Duke.