Rudolf II (Holy Roman Empire)

Rudolf II (Holy Roman Empire) (1552-1612), Holy Roman emperor (1576-1612), king of Hungary (1572-1608), and king of Bohemia (1575-1611), born in Vienna, the son and successor of Emperor Maximilian II. Rudolf's ability to rule was impaired by frequent fits of insanity and by a passionate interest in science, to which he devoted most of his time. He was the patron of the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe and the German astronomer Johannes Kepler. His sanction of religious persecution aroused bitter discontent, and in 1604 an insurrection broke out in Hungary. By 1608 Rudolf's brother Matthias had assumed control of both Hungary and Bohemia, and in 1609 Rudolf was compelled to grant a charter of religious liberties to the Bohemians.