Franz Ferdinand of Austria (Contact 1859)

Franz Ferdinand I of Austria (December 18, 1863-August 14th, 1942) was the Emperor of Austria-Hungary from 1914 to 1944. A member of the noble Hapsburg family, Franz Ferdinand was a major figure in Austro-Hungarian history, narrowly avoiding an assassination attempt on his life by an alliance of human and non-human terrorists. After succeeding his uncle Franz Joseph I as Emperor, Franz Ferdinand spearheaded governmental reforms allowing universal suffrage and severe political being taken from the Emperor.

During the Great War, Franz Ferdinand initially wished for Austria-Hungary to remain neutral. However, a series of aerial bombings by France led to him declaring war against the Alliance.

After his death in 1942, he was succeeded by his daughter Sophie.