John

Grand Duke John (a.k.a. Johann Christian Heinrich Ludwig)

Prince John Christian Henry Louis von Lexington was the second son and third child of Augustus II and Elizabeth, and the younger brother of Crown Prince William and Princess Hortensia. Like William, John originally had a Prussian styling to his name, going by Johann, until his father's decree in 1818 to Americanize the royal family. John was trained at the American Royal Naval Academy, obtaining a commission in 1825.

In 1827, he married Harriet Morris, granddaughter of Robert Morris Jr., 1st Earl of Bucks, and niece of Robert Morris III, 2nd Earl of Bucks.

In 1839, with the start of the Texas Rebellion, John captained a frigate during the naval blockades within the Gulf of Mexico. Though he argued for a more prominent role during the conflict, including a naval assault and marine landing, he was ultimately overturned by the admiralty. He would later accuse the American Royal Court of favoritism due to his rank as Prince, though would also criticize what he saw as a lack of naval understanding by the Prussian style military.

In 1845, he was granted the title of Grand Duke, as well as the appointment of Prince Regent of Sequoyah. During his tenure as Prince Regent, he grew fond of the military tactics that the Five Tribes had utilized when defending their ancestral lands, notably the ability to adapt to environments. He would write to his brother in regards to these tactics, and this helped with the establishment of what would become the special warfare schools in the American military. He would be replaced in this role by his nephew, Crown Prince Edward I, in 1855.

John attempted to return to the navy, though he would only be offered the role of Superintendent of the Naval Academy. He would spend his retirement in Philadelphia, writing criticism on American politics and military strategy, though would struggle to find his place among the American court.

My place in court has always been fickle. William was the future, Hortensia was the diplomatic tool, and I was simply the spare. Grand Duke John

Social

Family Ties

Relationships

John

Brother

Towards William I

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William I

Brother

Towards John

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John

Grandson

Towards Augustus I

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Augustus I

Grandfather

Towards John

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John

Grandson

Towards Elizabeth Louise

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Elizabeth Louise

Grandmother

Towards John

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Hortensia

Sister

Towards John

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John

Brother

Towards Hortensia

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Louis Ferdinand

Uncle

Towards John

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John

Nephew

Towards Louis Ferdinand

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James Monroe

Grandfather

Towards John

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John

Grandson

Towards James Monroe

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Elizabeth Monroe

Grandmother

Towards John

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John

Grandson

Towards Elizabeth Monroe

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Frederick William I

Greatgrandfather

Towards John

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John

Greatgrandson

Towards Frederick William I

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Life
1807 1876 69 years old
Spouses
Siblings
William I (Brother)
Hortensia (Sister)
Children

Table of Contents

Article Index
Generic article | May 15, 2025

Public and Published Article


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