Duke Ernest I of Saxe-Gotha (1601-1675) was a German nobleman and a member of the House of Wettin. He ruled the duchy of Saxe-Gotha from 1640 until his death, overseeing a period of relative stability and development in the region. Ernest was known for his efforts to promote education and the arts, establishing several institutions that contributed to the cultural life of his duchy. Ernest I was also a significant figure in the Thirty Years' War, which affected much of Europe during his lifetime. He worked to maintain peace and rebuild his territory after the war's devastation. His legacy includes the promotion of religious tolerance and the establishment of a strong administrative framework in Saxe-Gotha.