Background
Born in Erbach, he was the fourth child and second (but eldest surviving) son of George III, Count of Erbach-Breuberg and his fourth wife Maria, a daughter of Count Albert X of Barby-Mühlingen.
Born in Erbach, he was the fourth child and second (but eldest surviving) son of George III, Count of Erbach-Breuberg and his fourth wife Maria, a daughter of Count Albert X of Barby-Mühlingen.
In 1617 he was captured by pirates and taken to Tunis, but shortly after he was ransomed. In 1623, after the death of his eldest half-brother Frederick Magnus without surviving issue, the remaining brothers divided his domains: George Albert I received the district of Reichenberg. In 1627, with the death of another half-brother, John Casimir, unmarried and without issue, was made another land division.
This time George Albert I received Fürstenau.
Finally, the death of his last surviving half-brother Louis I in 1643 without living sons, allowed George Albert I to reunited all the Erbach family possessions. George Albert I died in Erbach aged 49 and was buried in Michelstadt.
