Frederick William, 1771–1815, duke of Brunswick, German military
hero. On the death (1806) of his father, Charles William
Ferdinand, his duchy was seized by Napoleon I and added to the
kingdom of Westphalia. He attempted to liberate his duchy from
French control in 1809, when Austria reopened war against
France. Frederick William formed a free corps, the "Black
Brunswickers," and in a dashing foray advanced through Germany
and captured Brunswick. He soon was driven out but succeeded in
fleeing with his troops to England. Returning in 1813, he took
possession of Brunswick but was killed at Quatre Bras in the
Waterloo campaign. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed.
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