Ludwig II of Bavaria

Ludwig II (Louis II;Ludwig Otto Friedrich Wilhelm; German: [ˈluːtvɪç ˈɔto ˈfʁiː.dʁɪç ˈvɪlˌhɛlm]; 25 August 1845 – 13 June 1886), also called the Swan King or the Fairy Tale King (der Märchenkönig), was King of Bavaria from 1864 until his death in 1886.

He also held the titles of Count Palatine of the Rhine, Duke of Bavaria, Duke of Franconia and Duke in Swabia. Outside Germany, he is at times called "the Mad King" or Mad King Ludwig.

Ludwig ascended to the throne in 1864 at the age of 18. Two years later, Bavaria and its allies were defeated in the Austro-Prussian War. Despite his desire to preserve Bavaria's independence, the kingdom came under Prussian hegemony and joined the German Empire upon the unification of Germany in 1871. Ludwig increasingly withdrew from day-to-day affairs of state in favour of extravagant artistic and architectural projects. He commissioned the construction of lavish palaces: Neuschwanstein Castle, Linderhof Palace, and Herrenchiemsee. He was also a devoted patron of the composer Richard Wagner. Ludwig spent all his own private royal revenues (although not state funds as is commonly thought) on these projects, borrowed extensively, and defied all attempts by his ministers to restrain him. This extravagance was used against him to declare him insane, a determination that is now questioned.

Ludwig was taken into custody and effectively deposed on 12 June 1886; he and his doctor were found dead the following day. His death was ruled to be a suicide, a conclusion that is also now questioned. Today, his architectural and artistic legacy includes many of Bavaria's most important tourist attractions.