Frederick William III of Prussia

Frederick William III of Prussia (1770–1840) was king from 1797 to 1840, overseeing Prussia during a turbulent era marked by the Napoleonic Wars and subsequent reforms. Faced with France's expansion, he initially struggled but later led efforts to modernize the military, bureaucracy, and society. He aimed to strengthen Prussia's power and stability, promoting limited constitutional changes and reforms inspired by Enlightenment ideas. His reign helped shape Prussia into a more centralized and efficient state, laying the groundwork for its future role in European affairs, including eventual unification under German leadership.