Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (1784-1844), was a German nobleman and a member of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. He ruled the duchy from 1806 until his death, overseeing a period of modernization and development in the region. His reign was marked by efforts to improve infrastructure and education. He was the father of several notable children, including Prince Albert, who married Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. This connection helped establish the Saxe-Coburg and Gotha dynasty as a significant royal house in Europe, influencing various royal families across the continent.