Johann Friedrich Struensee was a German physician and politician who played a significant role in the history of Denmark during the 18th century. Born in 1737, he became the personal physician to King Christian VII of Denmark. Struensee's influence grew as he implemented progressive reforms aimed at modernizing the Danish state, including changes in education, law, and social welfare. Struensee's tenure was marked by his close relationship with the king, who was often seen as mentally unstable. However, his reforms faced opposition from the nobility and conservative factions. In 1772, Struensee was arrested and executed, leading to the reversal of many of his policies and a return to traditional governance.