Ernest I of Saxe-Coburg was a German duke born on June 2, 1818, in Coburg. He became the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1844 and ruled until his death in 1893. Ernest was known for his efforts to modernize his duchy and promote economic development. He was a member of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, a prominent royal family in Europe. Ernest I was also the father of several notable children, including Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, and Victoria, Princess Louis of Battenberg, who married into various European royal families, strengthening political ties.