Ferdinand III

Ferdinand III (born May 6, 1769, Florence—died June 18, 1824, Florence) was the grand duke of Tuscany whose moderate, enlightened rule distinguished him from other Italian princes of his time. He became grand duke on July 21, 1790, when his father, Leopold II, succeeded as Holy Roman emperor. He continued the liberal reforms of his father and sought to maintain a neutral position toward the French Revolution. After he had established diplomatic relations with the...