Otto-Henry, Elector Palatine, a member of the Wittelsbach dynasty was Count Palatine of Palatinate-Neuburg from 1505 to 1559 and prince elector of the Palatinate from 1556 to 1559.
Background
He was a son of Rupert, Count Palatine, third son of Philip, Elector Palatine. And of Elizabeth of Bavaria-Landshut, daughter of George of Bavaria. As grandson of George of Bavaria, the young Otto Henry became regent of the new duchy of Palatinate-Neuburg after the Palatinate had lost the Landshut War of Succession against Albert IV, Duke of Bavaria.
Career
Otto Henry ordered to upgrade the Neuburg Castle, patronised the arts and was involved in several conflicts, due to his expensive holding of court a huge burden of debts caused his bankruptcy until he inherited the Electoral Palatinate in 1556. In the 1550s Otto Henry established the Bibliotheca Palatina. In September 1546 Neuburg was occupied by the troops of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor as Otto Henry had supported the Schmalkaldic League.
In 1552 in occasion of the Peace of Passau Otto Henry could return to Neuburg.
Otto Henry married Susanna of Bavaria (1502-1543), daughter of Albert IV, Duke of Bavaria, on October 16, 1529 in Neuburg an der Donau. She left him a widower 14 years later in 1543.
Otto Henry died in Heidelberg in 1559. He is buried in the Heiliggeistkirche in Heidelberg.