Frederick of Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym (Schaumburg, 29 November 1741 – Homburg vor der Höhe, 24 December 1812), was a German prince of the House of Ascania from the Anhalt-Bernburg branch and the last ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym.
He was the fifth (but fourth surviving) son of Victor I, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym, but the first-born by his second wife, Countess Hedwig Sophie Henckel von Donnersmarck.
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Life
After the death of his father in 1772, Frederick and his brothers were excluded from the government of Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym by their older brother, Prince Karl Louis, until his death in 1806.
At the time of Karl Louis's death, Frederick was his only surviving brother and reclaimed the government from his nephew Prince Victor II. Frederick claimed that the primogeniture was never formally installed in Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym and, according to the traditional laws of the House of Ascania, he had the right to share the government with Victor II. The dispute ended with the death of Victor II without male heirs on 22 April 1812, who left Frederick as the only living agnate of the branch and, in consequence, heir to the principality.
Reign
Frederick's rule lasted only eight months until his death. Because he never married or had children, the line of Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym became extinct with him.
