August II the Strong
Persons, originating from Poland

August II the Strong

Born: 12 May 1670 in Dresden
Died: 1 February 1733 in Warszawa
Name in Polish: August II Mocny
Name in German: Friedrich August I. von Sachsen or August II der Starke (for Poland)
He was Elector (Kurfürst) of Saxony (as Frederick Augustus I), Imperial Vicar and became King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania (as August II). August II was called "the Strong" for his bear-like physical strength and for his numerous children (only one of them his legitimate child and heir).
In order to be elected King of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Augustus converted to Roman Catholicism. He owed allegiance to the Imperial Habsburgs as a member of the Order of the Golden Fleece. As Elector of Saxony, he is remembered as a patron of the arts and architecture. He established the Saxon capital of Dresden as a major cultural centre, attracting artists from across Europe to his court. Augustus also built lavish baroque palaces at Dresden and Warsaw.
As King of Poland, his reign was not successful. He embroiled the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the Great Northern War, which led to the Russian Empire strengthening
        Augustus II the Strong
  painted by Louis de Silvestre          

its influence over the Commonwealth, and he failed to achieve internal reforms and to bolster royal power in the Commonwealth.
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Polonica stamps:

German Fed. Rep. 2010, 01 VII