In 1837 when his father became Grand Duke, he was sent to Dresden       
          for his education but in 1840 continued in Bonn. However, he was           
          called home as his father was dying and arrived only just in time.         
             At 19 years of age he became Grand Duke. First he toured his Duchy      
          and then Europe to widen his knowledge. In 1848, Europe's year of          
          Revolution, he changed the Government, including representation, which     
          was greatly resented by the nobility under Grand Duke George of            
          Mecklenburg-Strelitz and in 1850 these changes had to be withdrawn. He     
          spent a great deal on the building and restoration of churches,            
          schools and charitable institutions. In 1866 he took part in the war       
          with France, together with his uncle, the Prussian King. On 7 March        
          1882, his forty years as Grand Duke were celebrated. He died on 15         
          April 1883.    
 

Source: Leo van de Pas