Background
Franz Georg was born in Mainz, the ninth son of the Count of Schönborn and the nephew of Lothar Franz von Schönborn, the Archbishop-Elector of Mainz.
archbishop priest prince-elector
Franz Georg was born in Mainz, the ninth son of the Count of Schönborn and the nephew of Lothar Franz von Schönborn, the Archbishop-Elector of Mainz.
Beginning in 1702 he studied law, philosophy, theology, geography, history, and language at Salzburg, Siena, and Leiden.
Franz Georg"s brothers were Johann Philipp Franz, Friedrich Karl and Hugo Damian, all three important churchmen. After completing his studies he travelled to the Vatican, Spain and England. Owing to the protection of the Papacy in 1732 he was also elected the Prince-Bishop of Worms and the Prince-Provost of Ellwangen Abbey.
Politically Franz Georg sided with the House of Habsburg, and through it the Archbishopric-Electorate of Trier became involved in the great conflicts of the day.
In the second half of his reign, Franz Georg retired from active involvement in politics, and focused on administration and construction projects. From 1737 until 1753 he constructed a Baroque residence in Ellwangen.
Beginning in 1739 he began the extension of the Philippsburg of Ehrenbreitstein in Coblenz. He also constructed a new summer residence.
Despite being pious, Franz Georg worked hard to increase the level of education amongst the populace.
He outlawed several pilgrimages, holidays and exorcisms. Towards the end of his life Franz Georg"s power declined with that of his families. He died in Philippsburg in 1756 and was buried in the Cathedral of Trier.