Ludwig II, Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine (26 December 1777 – 16 June 1848) ruled over the Grand Duchy of Hesse from 1830 until his death.
By his wife, Wilhelmine of Baden , Ludwig had four surviving children - Grand Duke Ludwig III, Prince Karl , Prince Alexander, and Princess Marie, who became Empress consort of Alexander II of Russia as Marie Alexandrovna. The last two were, however, more likely fathered by Baron Auguste Senarclens de Grancy, the longtime lover of his wife.
