House of Biron | |
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Country | Duchy of Courland and Semigallia Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Duchy of Prussia Grand Duchy of Finland Russian Empire |
Founded | 18th century |
Founder | Ernst Johann von Biron |
Current head | Ernst-Johann Biron, Prince of Courland |
Final ruler | Peter von Biron |
Titles | Duke, Regent |
Estate(s) | Latvia, Russia, Poland |
Deposition | 1795 |
The House of Biron is the name of the Baltic German aristocratic family which was the ruling family of the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia. The family also enjoyed privileges and influence during the times of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and in the Russian Empire.
Initially von Bühren, the family came from Büren, Westphalia, Germany to Courland and were part of the retinue of Gotthard Kettler, Duke of Courland. The family rose to prominence when the last member of the reigning House of Kettler was left without any male heirs. As a result, Ernst Johann von Biron, a lover of Empress Anna of Russia, succeeded Ferdinand Kettler as Duke of Courland and Semigallia.
After that, the family ruled the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia for periods of time between 1737 and 1795. However, the dynasty was short lived and ended with Peter von Biron, who died in 1800 with no male heirs.[1] Today, existing line of the family are descendants of Prince Karl Ernst, Duke Peter's younger brother.