Augustus II

Augustus II (1670-1733) was Elector of Saxony and King of Poland. He forced himself on Poland. He had twice to retire, but was reinstated. To history, he is known, as "The Strong". "Attained the maximum," says Carlyle, "in several things,--of physical strength, could break horse-shoes, nay, half-crowns with finger and thumb; of sumptuosity, no man of his means so regardless of expense; and of bastards, three hundred and fifty-four of them (Marshal Saxe one of the lot); baked the biggest bannock on record, a cake with 5000 eggs and a tun of butter." He was, like many a monarch of the like loose character, a patron of the fine arts, and founded the Dresden Picture Gallery.

Nearby pages
Augustus III, Augustus Keppel, Augustus Montague Toplady, Augustus Snodgrass, Augustus the princes, Augustus Welby Pugin