Joseph II (1741-1790, Emperor from 1765-1790)

Eldest son of Emperor Franz I and Maria Theresia. Crowned as Roman-German King in the Cathedral of Frankfurt am Main in 1764, he succeeded his father as Emperor in 1765. At the same time, he became co-regent of the Hapsburg territories, along with his mother Maria Theresia.

Joseph II was the leading proponent of enlightened absolutism. He promoted industry and commerce as well as the construction of new schools and hospitals. He was equally in favour of preserving the tradition of collecting natural science samples, begun by his father and continued by his mother.