Archduke Franz Karl was a member of the Austrian royal family, born on December 17, 1802. He was the son of Archduke Franz Karl of Austria and Princess Sophie of Bavaria. Franz Karl is best known for being the father of Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination in 1914 sparked World War I. Franz Karl held the title of Archduke of Austria and was involved in the political affairs of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He was a prominent figure in the Habsburg dynasty and played a role in the succession debates of his time, although he never ascended to the throne himself.