Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, 1914. 
Franz Ferdinand was born in Graz, Austria, the eldest son of Archduke Karl Ludwig of Austria and of his second wife, Princess Maria Annunciata of Bourbon-Two Sicilies.
In 1875, when he was only eleven years old, his cousin Francis V, Duke of Modena died, naming Franz Ferdinand his heir on condition that he add the name "Este" to his own.
Franz Ferdinand thus became one of the wealthiest men in Austria.
In 1889, his life changed dramatically, after his cousin Crown Prince Rudolf committed suicide at his hunting lodge in Mayerling.
In 1889, his life changed dramatically, after his cousin Crown Prince Rudolf committed suicide at his hunting lodge in Mayerling.
This left Franz Ferdinand's father, Karl Ludwig, as first in line to the throne. Karl Ludwig died of typhoid fever in 1896. Henceforth, Franz Ferdinand was groomed to succeed to the throne.
Franz Ferdinand, like most males in the ruling Habsburg line, entered the Austro-Hungarian Army at a young age. He was frequently and rapidly promoted, given the rank of lieutenant at age fourteen, captain at twenty-two, colonel at twenty-seven, and major general at thirty-one.
While never receiving formal staff training, he was considered eligible for command and at one point briefly led the primarily Hungarian 9th Hussar Regiment.
In 1898 he was given a commission "at the special disposition of His Majesty" to make inquiries into all aspects of the military services and military agencies were commanded to share their papers with him.
