Overview
Philipp Ferdinand von Limburg Stirum (born 1734, died 1794), Count of Limburg, lord of Styrum, was the fourth reigning count from the branch Limburg-Styrum-Styrum. He was also heir of Wilhermsdorf in Franconia and of the sovereign Lordship of Oberstein.
He is known for his very extravagant and fastuous lifestyle, which caused his bankruptcy, and for having been the lover of Princess Tarakanova.
Life
Philipp Ferdinand was born on August 21, 1734, in Schillingsfürst. He was the fifth son of Christian Otto, count of Limburg Stirum and his wife, née Carolina Juliana princess of Hohenlohe-Waldenburg-Schillingsfürst.
After the death of his mother in 1758, he inherited the Herrschaft of Wilhermsdorf. Philipp Ferdinand was megalomaniac, and led a fastuous life in his palace of Wilhermsdorf, inspired by the court of Versailles. He had his own court theatre, music chapel and even a corps of hussar. In 1760, after his elder brother's death, he inherited Styrum.
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