Louis XIV , 1638-1715 , King of France , known as the Sun King

Louis XIV, the elder son of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria, succeded to the French throne in 1643 aged 4. His mother served as regent until he came of age in 1651, but he did not take personal control of the government until the death of his First Minister, Cardinal Mazarin, in 1661. In 1660 he married Maria Theresa, daughter of King Philip IV of Spain; she died in 1683 and he later contracted a morganatic marriage to the Marquise de Maintenon. Throughout his reign, Louis was often involved in wars with neighbouring countries, including the War of the Grand Alliance and the War of the Spanish Succession. His lavish spending at court and patronage of the arts and academia earned him the nickname of 'the Sun King'. A large French territory in North America was named Louisiane (Louisiana) in his honour. Louis XIV died in 1715 aged almost 77. His eldest son and grandson having predeceased him, he was succeeded by his 5-year-old great grandson, who became Louis XV.