Frederick II of Prussia (Frederick the Great) (January 24, 1712 August 17, 1786) King of Prussia Rein 1740 to 1786. Under his leadership, Prussia created the foremost military power in Europe. About fourscore years ago, there used to be seen sauntering on the terraces of Sans Souci, for a short time in the afternoon, or you might have met him elsewhere at an earlier hour, riding or driving in a rapid business manner on the open roads or through the scraggy woods and avenues of that intricate amphibious Potsdam region, a highly interesting lean little old man, of alert though slightly stooping figure; whose name among strangers was King FRIEDRICH THE SECOND, or Frederick the Great of Prussia, and at home among the common people, who much loved and esteemed him, was VATER FRITZ,--Father Fred,--a name of familiarity which had not bred contempt in that instance. He is a King every inch of him, though without the trappings of a King.