“Father of His People”: Posthumous Portrait of Francis I (1768–1835) in Austria According to Frances Trollope’s Travelogue

This article analyzes the posthumous image of Emperor Francis I, with particular emphasis on how the Viennese perceived him in light of the accounts of English traveler Frances Trollope. The work attempts to understand how the emperor, despite the conservative nature of his rule and negative assessments in contemporary historiography, gained the status of “father of the people” and enjoyed exceptional popularity in the capital of the Habsburg monarchy. Particular attention is paid to the emotional attitude of the Viennese towards the deceased monarch, manifested primarily in numerous anecdotes documenting their familiarity with the emperor. The analysis also includes a reflection on the factors that contributed to the mythologization of Francis I, such as his personal qualities, his style of government, and his genuine bond with the people of Vienna.