Alexander Sigismund von der Pfalz-Neuburg
Alexander Sigismund von der Pfalz-Neuburg (1663–1737) was the Prince-Bishop of Augsburg from 1690 to 1737.
Biography
A member of the House of Wittelsbach, Alexander Sigismund von der Pfalz-Neuburg was born in Neuburg an der Donau on April 16, 1663, the fifth son of Philip William, Elector Palatine and his wife Landgravine Elisabeth Amalie of Hesse-Darmstadt.[1] (At the time Alexander Sigismund was born, his father was Herzog of Palatinate-Neuburg; his father became Elector Palatine in 1685.) He was destined for the clergy from a young age, and was sent to study with the Jesuits in Neuburg an der Donau and Düsseldorf.[1]
He was appointed coadjutor bishop of Augsburg on February 10, 1681.[2] He suffered a serious riding accident in 1688.[1] He was ordained as a priest on July 26, 1689.[2]
Johann Christoph von Freyberg-Allmendingen died on April 1, 1690, and Alexander Sigismund succeeded him as Prince-Bishop of Augsburg, with Pope Alexander VIII confirming his appointment on May 31, 1690.[2] He was consecrated as a bishop by Marquard Rudolf von Rodt, Bishop of Constance, on June 18, 1690.[2]
In 1714, Alexander Sigismund suffered a bout of mental illness, and the cathedral chapter of Augsburg Cathedral selected Johann Franz Schenk von Stauffenberg, Bishop of Constance, to be coadjutor bishop on June 11, 1714.[3] Alexander Sigismund finally recovered enough to resume his duties as Prince-Bishop in 1718.[1]
Ancestry
References
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Johann Christoph von Freyberg-Allmendingen |
Prince-Bishop of Augsburg 1690–1737 |
Succeeded by Johann Franz Schenk von Stauffenberg |
Authority control  |
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