Ignatius Fortuna

Ignatius Christianus Fridericus Fortuna (died 24 November 1789) was a black servant prominent in the court of Countess Palatine Francisca Christina of Sulzbach, an abbess at Essen Abbey in Essen, Germany.[1]

Portrait of Ignatius Fortuna

Fortuna was taken from South America as a child and given to the abbess by Essen businessman Franz Adam Schiffer in 1735.[2] On 12 October 1737, he was given the name Ignatius Christianus Fridericus in a baptism. Unlike many other servants of the time, Fortuna was given a private room.

When Francisca Christina died in 1776, her will left Fortuna perpetual free boarding and medical care at the orphanage she founded in Steele, as well as cash and luxury items. Fortuna, also known as Herr Ignaz, continued to serve the next abbess, Maria Kunikunde. When he died, there was conflict over who would inherit his wealth. He was buried in the Steele orphanage's church.[2]

References
  1. Ute Küppers-Braun: Kammermohren: Ignatius Fortuna am Essener Hof und andere farbige Hofdiener. In: Münster am Hellweg 54, 2001, S. 17–49. (In German)
  2. Martone, Eric (2008-12-08). Encyclopedia of Blacks in European History and Culture [2 volumes]. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9780313344497.


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