Genus Theodora

For Charles Theodore (Karl Theodor), (1724–1799), Prince-elector and Duke of Bavaria from 1777–1799. He had several mistresses and many illegitimate children, and was not a popular ruler among his subjects in Bavaria. He made many dubious political decisions, such as exchanging Bavaria for the Austrian Netherlands in 1784, which failed. To his credit, Theodore founded, in 1763, the Academia Theodoro Palatina of Mannheim and an associated botanical garden at Medikus’s instigation. He was also at least partially responsible for the creation of the Englischer Garten (English Garden) in the centre of Munich, which was opened to the public in 1780. It is one of the world’s largest urban public parks.