Historical figure

Wilhelm de Schaumburg-Lippe

Count of Schaumburg-Lippe-Bückeburg

Wilhelm, Count of Schaumburg-Lippe-Bückeburg (1724–1777), was born in London, where his father, Albrecht Wolfgang, a general in the service of the United Provinces, was then staying. Sovereign of the small county of Schaumburg-Lippe from 1748 until his death in Bückeburg, he is known as a military commander, military reformer and author of published writings and letters. His name remains attached to the island fortress of Wilhelmstein on the Steinhuder Meer and, in the history of heritage, to the hunting lodge at Baum, which he had built in 1760–1761 near Bückeburg, and to the stepped family mausoleum in the neighbouring park, erected in 1776.

Portrait of Wilhelm de Schaumburg-Lippe
Birth9 janvier 1724, Londres (24 janvier 1724 selon une étude de l'université de Potsdam)
Death10 septembre 1777, Bückeburg
RoleCount of Schaumburg-Lippe-Bückeburg
HouseMaison de Schaumburg-Lippe
Era18th century
History & heritage

A prince born in London

Wilhelm was born in London, where his father, Albrecht Wolfgang, a general in Dutch service, was then present. The sources do not agree on the exact day: 9 January 1724 according to museum-digital and the Lower Saxony bibliography, 24 January according to a study from the University of Potsdam. The Lower Saxony bibliography associates him with places of activity in Geneva, Montpellier, Leiden, London, Bückeburg and Berlin, a sign of a very European education and career.

Jagdschloss BaumJagdschloss Baum
Timeline

Key moments in their life

1724

Born in London, where his father, Albrecht Wolfgang, a general in Dutch service, was residing; the exact date (9 or 24 January) varies according to the sources.

1748

Beginning of his reign over the county of Schaumburg-Lippe, which he governed until 1777.

1760-1761

Construction of the hunting lodge at Baum, in the Schaumburg forest near Bückeburg.

1776

Erection, in the neighbouring park near the Baum lodge, of a stepped family mausoleum in the form of a pyramid.

1777

Died at Bückeburg, on 10 September.

Associated heritage

Castles linked to this figure

1 place
Historical network

Linked personalities

Portrait of Albrecht Wolfgang de Schaumburg-Lippe
Albrecht Wolfgang de Schaumburg-Lippefather, general in Dutch serviceHis stay in London explains Wilhelm's birth in that city.→
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Wilhelm de Schaumburg-Lippe in history

Sovereign, military commander and author

Count of Schaumburg-Lippe from 1748 until his death in 1777, Wilhelm is classed by the Lower Saxony bibliography as count, military commander, sovereign, writer and military reformer. One study describes him at the head of a military school, and his writings and letters have been the subject of a scholarly edition by Curd Ochwadt. The island fortress of Wilhelmstein on the Steinhuder Meer figures among his places of activity.

A builder of hunting lodges and tombs

In the history of heritage, Wilhelm is the patron of the hunting lodge at Baum, built in 1760–1761 near Bückeburg and cited as an example of late Baroque classicism. In 1776 he had a stepped family mausoleum in the form of a pyramid built in the park.

Documentation

Sources for this entry

This summary cross-references several sources to document the places, events and historical relationships.