GEORG II, DUKE OF SAXE-MEININGEN

'Georg II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen' (b. Meiningen, 2 April 1826 - d. Wildungen, 25 June 1914), was a Duke of Saxe-Meiningen.
He was the only son of Bernhard II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen and Marie Fredericka of Hesse-Kassel.
Georg succeded his father as Duke of Saxe-Meiningen when he was forced to abdicate on the 20 September 1866 following the defeat of Austria in the Austro-Prussian War.
He was one of the greatest intellectuals among the higher nobility during the Second German Empire. He is particularly known for developing the Meiningen Ensemble using his court theatre. Using his knowledge of art history and his drawing skills, he designed highly detailed, historically accurate scenery, costumes, and properties. In addition, he choreographed large crowd scenes that stunned audiences across Europe. He and his ensemble toured Europe extensively, and had a profound effect on theatre production across the continent. For his work in the theatre, he is known as the first modern director.
He was married firstly in Charlottenburg on 18 May 1850 to the Princess Fredericka Charlotte of Prussia, granddaughter of King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia and King Willem I of the Netherlands. They had four children:
# Bernhard III, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (b. Meiningen, 1 April 1851 - d. Meiningen, 16 January 1928).
# Georg Albrecht (b. Meiningen, 12 April 1852 - d. Meiningen, 27 January 1855).
# Marie Elisabeth (b. Potsdam, 23 September 1853 - d. Munich, 22 February 1923).
# a son (b. Meiningen, 29 March 1855 - d. Meiningen, 30 March 1855).
He married secondly in Langenburg on 23 October 1858 to Feodora of Hohenlohe-Langenburg. They had three sons:
# Ernst Bernhard Victor Georg (b. Meiningen, 27 September 1859 - d. Schloß Altenstein, 29 December 1941).
# Frederick Johann Bernhard Hermann Heinrich Moritz (b. Meiningen, 12 October 1861 - killed in battle, Tarcienne, France, 23 August 1914).
# Viktor (b. Meiningen, 14 May 1865 - d. Meiningen, 17 May 1865).
He was married thirdly and unequally in Liebenstein on 18 March 1873 to Ellen Franz, a former actress. She was created ''Helene, Freifrau von Heldburg'' shortly after her wedding. They had no children.