Brühl, Heinrich, Graf von
Brühl, Heinrich, Graf von
(hīn`rĭkh gräf` fən brül), 1700–1763, Saxon statesman. He was adviser to Augustus II, king of Poland and elector of Saxony, and gained control of both governments after the accession (1733) of Augustus IIIAugustus III,1696–1763, king of Poland (1735–63) and, as Frederick Augustus II, elector of Saxony (1733–63); son of Augustus II, whom he succeeded in Saxony.
..... Click the link for more information. . Brühl advanced the economic and cultural development of Saxony but did not succeed in making the Polish crown hereditary with the Saxon rulers. An able diplomat, he neglected Saxon military potential and sought powerful allies. When King Frederick II of Prussia made (1756) a surprise attack on Saxony, initiating the Seven Years WarSeven Years War,
1756–63, worldwide war fought in Europe, North America, and India between France, Austria, Russia, Saxony, Sweden, and (after 1762) Spain on the one side and Prussia, Great Britain, and Hanover on the other.
..... Click the link for more information. in Europe, Brühl fled with his king to Poland. There he remained throughout the war, while Frederick exploited Saxony. Charges that Brühl amassed his fortune through fraud have not been proved.