Duke Ernest II of Saxe-Gotha was a German nobleman born on December 25, 1745. He became the Duke of Saxe-Gotha and Saxe-Altenburg in 1758 after the death of his father, Duke Ernest I. His reign was marked by efforts to modernize his territories and promote education and culture. Ernest II was known for his patronage of the arts and sciences, supporting figures like the composer Carl Friedrich Zelter. He also played a role in the political landscape of the time, navigating the complexities of the Holy Roman Empire and the emerging German states until his death on January 20, 1804.