Frederick III of Saxony

Frederick III Of Saxony (usually styled the Wise), was born at Torgau, January 17, 1463, and succeeded his father Ernest as elector, in 1486. He is chiefly. known as the founder of the University of Wittenberg, and the friend of Luther, whom he carried off for safety to the Warburg; but he had not the courage to establish the reformed faith in his dominions. He became administrator of the empire in 1519, and declined the imperial crown. He died May 5, 1525. See the literature by Kluppel, in Plitt-Herzog's Real-Encyklop. s.v. SEE LUTHER.