Karl Theodor Freiherr von Dalberg

Dalberg, Karl Theodor, Reichsfreiherr von (Herrnsheim, Worms, 1744-1817, Regensburg), scion of an influential family in the Rhineland and brother of W. H. von Dalberg, became in 1787 heir-designate to the electoral archbishopric of Mainz. He was at the time governor of Erfurt and, being a man of enlightened opinions and literary interests, entertained men of letters, including Schiller and his wife, to whom he held out hopes of patronage on his accession. The French Revolution, however, intervened. In 1800 Dalberg became bishop of Constance and at last, in 1802, Elector of Mainz; but his reign was short-lived, for the Holy Roman Empire was dissolved four years later. Karl Theodor then became the Primate of the Confederation of the Rhine (see Rheinbund) instituted by Napoleon. The War of Liberation caused his dismissal in 1813, but he retained the archiepiscopal see of Regensburg.