(born Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph) 1832-67; archduke of Austria: emperor of Mexico (1864-67); executed
1459-1519; emperor of the Holy Roman Empire (1493-1519)
1527-76; emperor of the Holy Roman Empire (1564-76)
See Maximilian in American Heritage Dictionary 4
Austrian archduke and emperor of Mexico (1864-1867). Appointed emperor by the French, who had recently captured Mexico, he lacked popular support and was captured and executed by Mexican republicans when France withdrew from the country under American pressure.