Maximilian Ill Joseph, “the much beloved” (March 28, 1727 – December 30, 1777), was a Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire and Duke of Bavaria from 1745 to 1777.
Born in Munich, Maximilian was the eldest son of Holy Roman Emperor Charles VII
Maximilian Joseph was a progressive and enlightened ruler who did much to improve the development of his country. He encouraged agriculture, industry, and exploitation of the mineral wealth of the country, and abolished the Jesuit censorship of the press.
As the last of the junior branch of the Wittelsbach dynasty which derived from Ludwig IV, Holy Roman Emperor and had ruled Bavaria since early 14th century, Maximilian Ill Joseph’s death led to a succession dispute and the brief War of the Bavarian Succession.
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