Person details

Ernst August Ernst II, Duke of Saxe-Coburg Gotha

Ernst II, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1818-1893). Second Duke of the German duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Brother to Prince Albert (1819-1861). An active supporter of German unification, Ernst played a major role in the rise and successes of the Prussian state. Outside the sphere of politics his interests encompassed many areas including music; he considered himself an accomplished composer whose output was not insubstantial.