The Resume

(March 13, 1741-February 20, 1790)
Born in Vienna, Austria
Holy Roman Emperor (1765-90)
Co-ruler of the Hapsburg domains with his mother, Marie Theresa (1765-80)
Brother of Marie Antoinette

Why he might be annoying:

His full name was the unwieldy Joseph Benedikt August Johannes Anton Michael Adam von Hapsburg-Lothrigen.
For the first fifteen years of his rule, his decisions were constantly overridden by his mother.
He allegedly responded to 'The Magic Flute' with 'Too many notes, Mozart.'
He ticked off the nobles by trying to abolish serfdom, Catholics by limiting the church's influence, and ethnic minorities by making German the official language throughout his empire.
He issued over 11,000 new laws paternalisticly regulating almost every aspect of daily life, alienating the masses.
Shortly before his death, the director of the Imperial Police reported, 'All classes, and even those who have the greatest respect for the sovereign, are discontented and indignant.'
He asked that his epitaph read, 'Here lies Joseph II, who failed in all he undertook.'

Why he might not be annoying:

He was a patron of Mozart and Beethoven and was known as 'the Musical King.'
He granted religious liberty to Jews and Protestants.
He ended censorship of the press and theater.
He introduced compulsory elementary education to the empire.
He established Vienna's first public parks.
He was considered an 'enlightened despot,' like Frederick the Great and Catherine the Great.

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 53]
• Fashion Role Models
• German Royalty
• Holy Roman Emperors
• House of Hapsburg
• I am from Vienna, Austria
• I Died in the City I Was Born In
• Look at Me, My Picture Is Art
• Monarchs, Royalty and Nobles
• Profiles 35501-35750 (Ranked: 35544)
• Seven Years’ War Participants [1756–63]

Year In Review:

For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 25 Votes: 96.00% Annoying
In 2023, Out of 264 Votes: 42.05% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 653 Votes: 52.37% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 178 Votes: 69.66% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 475 Votes: 53.47% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 101 Votes: 50.50% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 34 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 137 Votes: 53.28% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 233 Votes: 59.23% Annoying