Louis of Anhalt-Pless (16 July 1783 in Pless – 5 November 1841 in Pless) was a German prince of the

House of Ascania The House of Ascania (german: Askanier) was a dynasty of German rulers. It is also known as the House of Anhalt, which refers to its longest-held possession, Anhalt. The Ascanians are named after Ascania (or Ascaria) Castle, known as ''Schlos ...

and ruler of the principality of

Anhalt-Pless The Duchy of Anhalt (german: Herzogtum Anhalt) was a historical German duchy. The duchy was located between the Harz Mountains in the west and the river Elbe and beyond to the Fläming Heath in the east. The territory was once ruled by the Hous ...

. He was the sixth (but fifth surviving) son of

Frederick Erdmann, Prince of Anhalt-Pless Frederick Erdmann of Anhalt-Pless (Köthen, 27 October 1731 – Pszczyna, Pless, 12 December 1797) was a German Fürst, prince from the Anhalt-Köthen branch of the House of Ascania, and the first Reigning prince, ruler of the Duchy of Pless#P ...

, by his wife Louise Ferdinande, daughter of Henry Ernest, Count of Stolberg-Wernigerode.

Life

As the youngest child in his family, Louis had little prospect of ever taking part the government of Pless; but when the main line of the Anhalt-Köthen branch of the House of Ascania became extinct in 1818, his older brother Frederick Ferdinand assumed the title duke of Anhalt-Köthen and left the government of Pless in the hands of the next oldest brother Henry. In 1830, Frederick Ferdinand died childless and Henry succeeded him as duke. Shortly after, he left the government of Pless in the hands of Louis. Because Henry was also childless, Louis became

heir presumptive An heir presumptive is the person entitled to inherit a throne, peerage, or other hereditary honour, but whose position can be displaced by the birth of an heir apparent or a new heir presumptive with a better claim to the position in question. ...

to the duchy of Anhalt-Köthen until his death, unmarried and also childless. After Louis's death, Henry reassumed his government over Pless until his own death. {{DEFAULTSORT:Louis, Prince of Anhalt-Pless 1783 births 1841 deaths People from Pszczyna House of Ascania