Karl III Wilhelm von Baden-Durlach (1679-1738)

Founder and Namesake of Karlsruhe, Germany. Margrave of Baden-Durlach. He was born in Durlach, which is now part of the city of Karlsruhe. He served as a soldier in the imperial army, joining in 1694 and rising to the rank of Field Marshal. He was active in the War of the Spanish Succession as a senior officer from 1702 to 1709, resigning upon his father's death, whereupon he became Margrave. He founded Karlsruhe ("Karl's Rest") in 1715 in a forest near Durlach to be the new capital of his realm. He laid out the city in an unusual fan shape, radiating from his palace. He was also a noted gardener and tulip collector. He was originally buried in the crypt of the Concordia Church. This church was torn down in 1807, and at first a wooden pyramid marked the spot, which was replaced by the current memorial in 1825. As his Name Day was January 28, he also celebrated his birthday on that date, which accounts for the erroneous inscription on his tomb.

Bio by: Kenneth Gilbert