Erthal, Franz Ludwig Von

Erthal, Franz Ludwig Von a German prelate, was born at Lohr-on-the-Main, September 16, 1730. He studied law at Wuirzburg, and when thirty-three years of age became a member of the chapter there. The emperor Joseph II appointed him to several high positions, and in 1779 he was made prince-bishop of Bamberg and Wiirzburg. His government was in every respect an excellent one. He died February 16, 1795, leaving, Zeit und Pflicht der Christen (Wurzburg, 1793): — Reden an das Landvolk (Bamberg, 1797). See Schmid, in Herzog-Plitt's Real-Encyclop. s.v.; Geschichte der Katholikirche Deutschlands (Munich, 1872); Bernhard, Franz Ludwig von Erthal (Tubingen, 1852). (B.P.)