Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor

Reign: 1790 – 1792
Life: 1747–1792

Leopold was a moderate proponent of enlightened absolutism like his brother Joseph II. He granted the Academy of Georgofili his protection. Unusually for his time, he opposed the death penalty and torture and abolished it in Tuscany on 30 November 1786 during his rule there, making it the first nation in modern history to do so. This act has been commemorated since 2000 by a regional custom known as the Feast of Tuscany, held every 30 November.

During Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor's reign, Frederick William II of Prussia ruled Prussia, George III of Great Britain ruled Great Britain, and Selim III ruled Ottoman Empire.

Want to learn more? Further reading

Heart of Europe: A History of the Holy Roman Empire by Peter H. Wilson

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