Wilhelm, 1st Duke of Urach
| Wilhelm | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Duke of Urach | |
| Reign | 28 March 1867 – 17 July 1869 |
| Born |
6 July 1810 Stuttgart |
| Died | 17 July 1869 (aged 59) Lichtenstein Castle |
| Burial | Ludwigsburg Palace Church |
| Spouse |
Théodolinde de Beauharnais Princess Florestine of Monaco |
| Issue | Princess Augusta Eugenie Princess Marie Josephine Princess Eugenia Amalie Princess Mathilde Mindaugas II of Lithuania Prince Karl |
| House | Württemberg |
| Father | Duke Wilhelm of Württemberg |
| Mother | Baroness Wilhelmine von Tunderfeldt-Rhodis |
Count Friedrich Wilhelm Alexander Ferdinand of Württemberg, 1st Duke of Urach (6 July 1810, in Stuttgart – 17 July 1869, in Schloss Lichtenstein), was the son of Duke Wilhelm of Württemberg (1761–1830), younger brother of King Frederick I of Württemberg, by his morganatic wife, Baroness Wilhelmine von Tunderfeldt-Rhodis (1777–1822), who had married in 1800. He was the first Head of the House of Urach.
Wilhelm served as a cavalry officer in the army of the then-independent Kingdom of Württemberg. He also tested cannon for the Army of Württemberg, some of which can still be seen at Lichtenstein Castle, which he substantially rebuilt in the 1840s. He was inspired by the romantic historical novel Lichtenstein by Wilhelm Hauff (1826). Hauff was in turn inspired by the works of Walter Scott. He was created Duke of Urach on 28 March 1867, with the style of Serene Highness.
Wilhelm was a junior member of the royal family of Württemberg. He was a nephew of King Frederick (d. 1816), and was a first cousin of King William I of Württemberg (ruled 1816–1864).
Wilhelm was raised in the mentally stimulating parental home. From 1819 to 1823, William and his elder brother Alexander, who later became famous as a poet, stayed at the Fellenberg'sche Hofwyl Institute in Berne. Wilhelm returned to Stuttgart and was appointed Captain in the mounted artillery at the age of 18. In 1835, he was promoted to Major, and in 1837 to Colonel and commander of the artillery. In 1841, he was promoted to Major General and put in charge of an infantry brigade.
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