Royal Deaths from Typhus

compiled by Susan Flantzer

Typhus, also known as typhus fever, is a group of bacterial infectious diseases spread by body lice, chiggers, or fleas. Symptoms include fever, headache and other flu-like symptoms, and a rash. Meningoencephalitis begins with the rash and continues into the second or third weeks. Symptoms of meningoencephalitis include sensitivity to light, delirium, and coma. Untreated cases are often fatal.

Of course, without modern medical diagnostic tools, it was impossible to accurately diagnose illnesses and so this does not purport to be a complete list. Until the development of antibiotics and other drugs, it was impossible to successfully treat many infectious diseases. Sir Alexander Fleming, a Scottish biologist, physician, microbiologist, and pharmacologist, developed Penicillin, the world’s first antibiotic in 1928. Antibiotics are only effective against diseases caused by bacteria. They are not effective against diseases caused by viruses.

All images are from Wikipedia unless otherwise indicated.

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Alexander I, Emperor of All Russia

  • Born: December 23, 1777 in St. Petersburg, Russia
  • Parents: Paul I, Emperor of All Russia and Sophie Dorothea of Württemberg (Empress Maria Feodorovna)
  • Married: Princess Louise of Baden in 1793 (Empress Elizabeth Alexeievna)
  • Died: December 1, 1825, aged 47, in Taganrog, Russia
  • Buried: Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Russia
  • Unofficial Royalty: Alexander I, Emperor of All Russia

By 1825, Empress Elizabeth Alexeievna’s health was suffering due to lung problems and the doctors recommended getting away from the harsh climate of St. Petersburg. Alexander and Elizabeth Alexeievna relocated to the city of Taganrog, Russia by the Sea of Azov where they stayed in a modest house. In November 1825, Alexander returned to Taganrog after visiting Crimea. He had a cold and then came down with typhus. On December 1, 1825, Alexander died in Elizabeth Alexeievna’s arms in their home in Taganrog.

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Archduke Ferdinand Karl Viktor of Austria-Este, Prince of Modena

  • Born: July 20, 1821 in Modena, Duchy of Modena, now in Italy
  • Parents: Franz IV, Duke of Modena, Archduke of Austria-Este and Maria Beatrice of Savoy
  • Married: Archduchess Elisabeth Franziska of Austria in 1846
  • Died: 15 December 15, 1849, aged 28, in Brno, Austrian Empire, now in the Czech Republic
  • Buried: Church of San Vincenzo in Modena, Duchy of Modena, now in Italy
  • Wikipedia: Archduke Ferdinand Karl Viktor of Austria-Este, Prince of Modena

Ferdinand Karl Viktor had a military career and held the rank of Field Marshal Lieutenant. After there were increased deaths from typhus in the hospitals in Brno, where Ferdinand was stationed, he inspected the hospitals and contracted typhus. He was nursed by his sister Maria Theresia but died within five days of contracting typhus.

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Prince Willem of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange

  • Born: September 4, 1840 at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague, the Netherlands
  • Parents: King Willem III of the Netherlands and Sophie of Württemberg
  • Died: June 11, 1879, aged 38, in Paris, France
  • Buried: Nieuwe Kerk in Delft, the Netherlands
  • Wikipedia: Willem, Prince of Orange

Willem was the eldest of the three sons of King Willem III of the Netherlands and his first wife Sophie of Württemberg. All three sons were unmarried and predeceased their father. Despite the fact that he was the heir to the throne, Willem was disillusioned with his situation in the Netherlands and went into self-exile in Paris, where he threw himself into a life of sex, drinking, and gambling. He died from a combination of typhus, liver issues from excessive drinking, and total exhaustion.

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Prince Alexander of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange

  • Born: August 25, 1851 at Noordeinde Palace, The Hague, the Netherlands
  • Parents: King Willem III of the Netherlands and Sophie of Württemberg
  • Died: June 21, 1884, aged 32, at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague, the Netherlands
  • Buried: Nieuwe Kerk in Delft, the Netherlands
  • Wikipedia: Alexander, Prince of Orange

Alexander was the youngest of the three sons of King Willem III of the Netherlands and his first wife Sophie of Württemberg. The second son Prince Maurits died from meningitis at the age of seven. The eldest son Willem (see above) died from typhus in 1879. Upon the death of Willem, Alexander became the heir apparent to the Dutch throne. Like his brother Willem, Alexander also died from typhus. After his death, his half-sister, the future Queen Wilhelmina, the only child of King Willem III and his second wife Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont, became heir presumptive to the Dutch throne.

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