Augustus d'Este facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Augustus d'Este KCH
Born	Augustus Frederick Hanover (1794-01-13)13 January 1794 London, Great Britain
Died	28 December 1848(1848-12-28) (aged 54) Ramsgate, Kent
Parent(s)	Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex Lady Augusta Murray

Sir Augustus Frederick d'Este (born 13 January 1794 – died 28 December 1848) was a relative of the British royal family. He is famous for being the first person known to have had a clear diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). His detailed diaries helped doctors understand this disease much later.

Augustus d'Este was the only son of Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, and his wife, Lady Augusta Murray. This made him a grandson of King George III. He was also a first cousin to Queen Victoria.

His Family and Early Life

Augustus d'Este's parents secretly married in 1793. They had two ceremonies, one in Rome and another in London. However, these marriages did not follow the Royal Marriages Act 1772. This law meant that members of the royal family needed the King's permission to marry. Because his parents did not get this permission, their marriage was not officially recognized in Great Britain.

This meant that Augustus was not considered a royal heir under British law. He was first given the last name "Hanover," which is the royal family's name. Later, he took the name "d'Este," which came from a very old family that both his parents were related to. Augustus went to Harrow School when he was younger.

His Work and Interests

Augustus d'Este was very interested in helping others. He was an active member of the Aborigines' Protection Society. This group worked to protect the rights of native peoples around the world. He was especially interested in Native Americans.

He gave a lot of help to Peter Jones, who was a missionary and leader of the Mississaugas people. Peter Jones worked to get Native Americans the right to own their lands in Upper Canada (which is now part of Ontario, Canada).

When his father passed away in 1843, Augustus d'Este tried to claim his father's royal titles, like the Dukedom of Sussex. But the House of Lords (a part of the British Parliament) decided that he could not, because his parents' marriage was not officially recognized. Augustus never married, so even if he had received the titles, they would have ended when he died.

Living with Multiple Sclerosis

Augustus d'Este is the earliest person known to have had a clear diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. It can cause problems with movement, vision, and balance.

His Important Diary

Doctors today know about Augustus d'Este's MS because of the detailed diaries he kept. He wrote about his health for 22 years, starting in 1822 and ending in 1846. These diaries were not discovered until 1948, long after his death. They are a very important record for understanding MS.

His Journey with MS Symptoms

Augustus d'Este's symptoms began when he was 28 years old. One of his first symptoms was a sudden, temporary loss of vision after a friend's funeral. Over time, his symptoms became more constant. By 1843, he had shaking (tremor) and muscle spasms at night. In 1844, he started using a wheelchair. In his last years, he had to stay in bed.

Even though he faced many challenges with his illness, Augustus d'Este tried to stay positive about life. His diaries show his strength and spirit.

Ancestry