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Infante Francisco Javier of Spain

Charles III
Charles III of Spain high resolution.jpg
Portrait by Anton Raphael Mengs, c. 1761
King of Spain (more...)
Reign 10 August 1759 – 14 December 1788
Predecessor Ferdinand VI
Successor Charles IV
King of Naples and Sicily
Reign 15 May 1734 – 6 October 1759
Coronation 3 July 1735, Palermo Cathedral
Predecessor Charles VI
Successor Ferdinand IV & III
Duke of Parma and Piacenza
Reign 29 December 1731 – 3 October 1735
Predecessor Antonio Farnese
Successor Charles VI
Born 20 January 1716
Royal Alcazar of Madrid, Spain
Died 14 December 1788(1788-12-14) (aged 72)
Royal Palace of Madrid, Spain
Burial El Escorial
Spouse Maria Amalia of Saxony
Issue
Detail
Infanta Maria Josefa
Maria Luisa, Holy Roman Empress
Infante Philip, Duke of Calabria
Charles IV of Spain
Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies
Infante Gabriel
Infante Antonio Pascual
Infante Francisco Javier
House House of Bourbon
Father Philip V of Spain
Mother Elisabeth Farnese
Religion Roman Catholicism
Signature Charles III's signature

Charles III (Spanish: Carlos; Italian: Carlo; 20 January 1716 – 14 December 1788) was King of Spain and the Spanish Indies (1759–1788), after ruling Naples as Charles VII and Sicily as Charles V (1734–1759), kingdoms he abdicated to his son Ferdinand. He was the fifth son of Philip V of Spain, and the eldest son of Philip's second wife, Elisabeth Farnese. A proponent of enlightened absolutism, he suceeded to the Spanish throne on 10 August 1759, upon the death of his half-brother King Ferdinand VI of Spain, who left no heirs.

In 1731, the 15-year-old Charles became the Duke of Parma and Piacenza, as Charles I, following the death of his childless granduncle Antonio Farnese. In 1738 he married Princess Maria Amalia of Saxony, daughter of Polish king Augustus III and an educated, cultured woman who gave birth to 13 children, eight of whom reached adulthood. Charles and Maria Amalia resided in Naples for 19 years. Maria Amalia died in 1760.

As King of Spain Charles III made far-reaching reforms such as promoting science and university research, facilitating trade and commerce, and modernising agriculture. He also tried to reduce the influence of the Church and avoided costly wars. His previous experience as King of Naples and Sicily proved valuable. He did not achieve complete control over the State's finances, and was sometimes obliged to borrow to meet expenses. Most of his reforms proved to be successful and his important legacy lives on to this day.


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