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Johann Friedrich Struensee | |
|---|---|
 Posthumous portrait by Hans Hansen | |
| Privy Councillor of Denmark | |
| Predecessor | Johann Hartwig Ernst von Bernstorff |
| Successor | Ove Høegh-Guldberg |
| Born | 5 August 1737 Halle an der Saale, Kingdom of Prussia |
| Died | 28 April 1772 (aged 34) Copenhagen, Kingdom of Denmark-Norway |
| Issue | Princess Louise Augusta of Denmark (rumored) |
| Occupation | Physician |
Lensgreve Johann Friedrich Struensee (5 August 1737 – 28 April 1772) was a German-Danish physician, philosopher and statesman. He became royal physician to the mentally ill King Christian VII of Denmark and a minister in the Danish government. He rose in power to a position of de facto regent of the country, and he tried to carry out widespread reforms. His affair with Queen Caroline Matilda ("Caroline Mathilde") caused a scandal, especially after the birth of a daughter, Princess Louise Augusta, and was the catalyst for the intrigues and power play that caused his downfall and dramatic death.