Alexander Sigismund von der Pfalz-Neuburg (1663–1737) was the Prince-Bishop of Augsburg from 1690 to 1737.

Biography

A member of the House of Wittelsbach, Alexander Sigismund von der Pfalz-Neuburg was born in Neuburg an der Donau on 16 April 1663, the fifth son of Philip William, Elector Palatine and his wife Landgravine Elisabeth Amalie of Hesse-Darmstadt. ^[1] (At the time Alexander Sigismund was born, his father was Herzog of Palatinate-Neuburg; his father became Elector Palatine in 1685.) He was destined for the clergy from a young age, and was sent to study with the Jesuits in Neuburg an der Donau and Düsseldorf. ^[1]

He was appointed coadjutor bishop of Augsburg on 10 February 1681. ^[2] He suffered a serious riding accident in 1688. ^[1] He was ordained as a priest on 26 July 1689. ^[2]

Johann Christoph von Freyberg-Allmendingen died on 1 April 1690 and Alexander Sigismund succeeded him as Prince-Bishop of Augsburg, with Pope Alexander VIII confirming his appointment on 31 May 1690. ^[2] He was consecrated as a bishop by Marquard Rudolf von Rodt, Bishop of Constance, on 18 June 1690. ^[2]

In 1714, Alexander Sigismund suffered a bout of mental illness, and the cathedral chapter of Augsburg Cathedral selected Johann Franz Schenk von Stauffenberg, Bishop of Constance, to be coadjutor bishop on 11 June 1714. ^[3] Alexander Sigismund finally recovered enough to resume his duties as Prince-Bishop in 1718. ^[1]

He died in Augsburg on 24 January 1737. ^[1]

Ancestry

References