FÜRSTENBERG, FERDINAND von. — German bishop and scholar, born at Bilstein on 21 Oct. 1626 into a noble Westphalian family, died at Münster on 29 June 1683.
A secret chamberlain of Alexander VII, with whom he maintained friendly relations since the time of the Congress of Westphalia, he carried out notable historical and literary activity in Rome from 1655 to 1661, which he continued thereafter by collecting sources on national and medieval history. In 1661 he was elected prince-bishop of Paderborn; in 1678 also of Münster; in 1680 he was furthermore appointed Apostolic Vicar for the missions of the North. Pious and liberal, he took great care in the instruction and spiritual formation of the clergy and people, erected numerous churches, colleges, and institutes, and founded a special mission society for the northern regions of Germany, China, and Japan.
His poetic output was also highly esteemed by contemporary scholars.