Why is King Ludwig II of Bavaria known for being eccentric?
Ludwig is also often referred to as Mad King Ludwig, though the accuracy of that label has been disputed. Because Ludwig was deposed on grounds of mental illness, and died a day later under mysterious circumstances, questions of his madness remain controversial. Ludwig is best known as an eccentric whose legacy is intertwined with the history of art and architecture, as he commissioned the construction of several extravagant fantasy castles (the most famous being Neuschwanstein) and was a devoted patron of the composer Richard Wagner. Most historians believe that Ludwig was deeply peculiar and irresponsible, but the question of clinical insanity remains unresolved. Others believe he may have suffered from the effects of chloroform used in an effort to control chronic toothache rather than any psychological disorder. His cousin Empress Elisabeth held that “The King was not mad; he was just an eccentric living in a world of dreams. They might have treated him more gently, and thus perhap
