Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor

Francis I (Francis Stephen; 8 December 1708 – 18 August 1765) was Holy Roman Emperor and Grand Duke of Tuscany, though his wife effectively executed the real power of those positions. With his wife, Maria Theresa of Austria, he was the founder of the Habsburg-Lorraine dynasty. From 1728 until 1737 he was Duke of Lorraine, but lost Lorraine when he had to give it to France. He was the father of Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France.

Francis I
portrait by Martin van Meytens, c. 1745
Holy Roman Emperor King of Germany
Reign	13 September 1745 – 18 August 1765
Coronation	4 October 1745, Frankfurt
Predecessor	Charles VII
Successor	Joseph II
Archduke of Austria
Reign	21 November 1740 – 18 August 1765
Predecessor	Maria Theresa
Successor	Joseph II
Co-monarch	Maria Theresa
Grand Duke of Tuscany
Reign	12 July 1737 – 18 August 1765
Predecessor	Gian Gastone
Successor	Leopold I
Duke of Lorraine
Reign	27 March 1729 – 9 July 1737
Predecessor	Leopold
Successor	Stanisław I
Born	(1708-12-08)8 December 1708 Ducal Palace of Nancy, Lorraine, Holy Roman Empire
Died	18 August 1765(1765-08-18) (aged 56) Palace of Innsbruck, Austria
Burial	Imperial Crypt
Spouse	Maria Theresa of Austria (m. 1736)
Issue	Archduchess Maria Elisabeth Archduchess Maria Anna Archduchess Maria Carolina Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor Maria Christina, Duchess of Teschen Archduchess Maria Elisabeth Archduke Charles Joseph Maria Amalia, Duchess of Parma Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor Archduchess Maria Carolina Archduchess Johanna Gabriela Archduchess Maria Josepha Maria Carolina, Queen of Naples and Sicily Ferdinand, Duke of Breisgau Maria Antonia, Queen of France Maximilian Francis, Archbishop-Elector of Cologne
Full name Francis Stephen
House	Lorraine
Father	Leopold, Duke of Lorraine
Mother	Élisabeth Charlotte d'Orléans
Religion	Roman Catholicism
Signature

Biography

He married Maria Theresa of Austria for love. with the input of the Prince of Craon. They had sixteen children who are named here:

1. Archduchess Maria Elisabeth (1737-1740).
2. Archduchess Maria Anna (1738-1789).
3. Archduchess Maria Caroline (1740-1741).
4. Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II (1741-1790)
5. Archduchess Maria Christina, Duchess of Teschen (1742-1798)
6. Archduchess Maria Elisabeth (1743-1808).
7. Archduke Charles Joseph (1745-1761).
8. Archduchess Maria Amalia (1746-1804)
9. Holy Roman Emperor Leopold II (1747-1792)
10. Archduchess Maria Caroline (stillborn 1748).
11. Archduchess Maria Johanna Gabriela (1750-1762).
12. Archduchess Maria Josepha (1751-1767).
13. Queen Maria Carolina of Naples and Sicily (1752-1814)
14. Queen Marie Antoinette of France and Navarre, born Maria Antonia (1755-1793)
15. Archduke Maximilian Francis (1756-1801)

Titles and styles

• 8 December 1708 - 4 June 1723: His Highness Prince Francis Stephan of Lorraine
• 4 June 1723 - 27 March 1729: His Highness The Hereditary Prince of Lorraine
• 27 March 1729 - 12 July 1737: His Royal Highness The Duke of Lorraine
• 12 July 1737 - 20 January 1745: His Royal Highness The Grand Duke of Tuscany
• 20 January 1745 - 18 August 1765: His Imperial Majesty The Holy Roman Emperor