AUGUSTUS H, Frederick (*The Strong"), Elector of Saxony and King of Po land, second son of John George III, Elector of Saxony: b. Dresden 1670.; d. 1 Feb. 1733. He was noted for his activity. In 1695 he be came Elector and in 1696 was candidate for the vacant Polish throne. The French Ambassador and the nobles supported the Prince of Conti, but Augustus by accept ance of the Roman Catholic faith, by bribery and intimidation secured the elec tion, 27 June 1697. Early in his reign, a treaty was made between Denmark, Poland and Russia against Charles XII of Sweden, for the conquest of Livonia. But Charles, after hav ing defeated the Danes and the Russians, turned toward Poland. Thus began the celebrated Northern War, which lasted 20 years. Charles gained a complete victory, 20 July 1702, and on 1 May 1703, the Saxon army was defeated again at Pultusk. The Diet assembled at Warsaw de dared Augustus, 14 Feb. 1704, incapable of wearing the crown of Poland, and Stanislaus Lesczinsky, Waywode of Posen, was chosen king, 12 July 1704. Charles victorious on every side, advanced into Saxony, and Augustus found himself obliged to negotiate a secret peace, at Altranstadt, 24 Sept. 1706.
He now devoted himself to the domestic af fairs of Saxony. His love of splendor involved him in many expenses, by which the finances of his kingdom were disordered. In 1709, after the
defeat of Charles at Pultowa, the Poles re called Augustus, who united himself anew with Peter the Great. A confederation was now formed in Poland against the Saxon troops, by the party of Stanislaus, in the belief that Augustus was aiming at absolute power. The Saxons were attacked and obliged to surrender. At length, through the mediation of Peter, an arrangement was concluded at Warsaw, 1717, between Au gustus and the Polish leaders. The Saxon troops were removed from the kingdom, and Augustus agreed not to maintain more than 17,000 soldiers in Poland, who were to be under the Polish authorities. The last years of his reign were characterized by boundless luxury and corruption of manners. He was not dis liked by his subjects, and filled with dignity his station among the European powers. In his character generous ideas were united with despotic feelings, a taste for pleasure with the cares of ambition, and the restlessness of a war like spirit with the effeminacy of a luxurious life. By his mistresses he had many children. The Countess of Konigsmark bore him the cel ebrated Maurice of Saxony. He left an only son who succeeded him. Consult Desroches de Parthenay, 'Histoire de Pologne sous le roi Auguste> (The Hague 1734).