Ferdinand, 1793–1875, emperor of Austria (1835–48), son and
successor of Emperor Francis I (who also, as Francis II, had
been the last Holy Roman emperor). A well-meaning monarch in his
lucid moments, he was subject to fits of insanity. A council of
state that included Metternich governed in his name. After
revolution broke out in Vienna in 1848 the emperor promulgated
(April) a constitution, but it failed to satisfy the
revolutionists. He fled from Vienna in May and—after the
recapture of Vienna by Windischgrätz—was persuaded by Felix zu
Schwarzenberg to abdicate (Dec. 2, 1848) in favor of his nephew,
Francis Joseph. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed.
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