Frederick III of Saxe-Gotha

Frederick III hosted Voltaire at his court in Gotha for several months. The philosopher wrote and corresponded while there, and Frederick III supported the Enlightenment ideas, enhancing Gotha's intellectual reputation.

Frederick III provided financial support to the University of Jena, which served students from Saxe-Gotha and neighboring states. His patronage helped maintain the university's academic standards during the Enlightenment.

Frederick III redesigned the gardens of Friedenstein Palace in the Rococo style, creating ornamental parterres, fountains, and a menagerie. This garden became a notable example of Rococo landscape architecture in Germany.