Franz Egon Freiherr von Fürstenberg (10 May 1737, Schloss Herdringen, near Arnsberg - 11 August 1825, Hildesheim) was a German Roman Catholic clergyman. He was the last Prince-Bishop of Hildesheim and Prince-Bishop of Paderborn from 1789 until their dissolution in 1803 and 1802. Life Early life As a younger son of Christian Franz Theodor von Furstenberg and his third wife Anna Helene von Galen, he was intended for a church career from birth and schooled at home by a private tutor before attending the Dreikönigsgymnasium in Cologne. Next he studied at the University of Cologne and the University of Mainz before completing his studies with a stay in Rome from 1761 to 1763. His education was strongly influenced by Jesuit teachers and professors and did not bring him into much contact with Enlightenment ideas. Aged only eleven he was appointed a canon of Halberstadt in 1748 and in 1764 a canon of Münster and Hildesheim. He was appointed a court councilor in 1768 and dean the following year. In 1776 he became a 'Dompropst' or ordained canon as well as Vicar General. At the same time he became a privy councilor and president of the council and held important secular positions within the prince-bishopric of Hildesheim. When the Prince Bishop Frederick William of Westphalia fell ill, von Furstenberg had a good chance of becoming coadjutor (with a right to succeed Frederick William) thanks to his position and thanks to Prussian support. Competing with Friedrich Moritz von Brabeck (who was supported by the Spiegel family from Sauerländ among others), von Furstenberg was made coadjutor of Hildesheim on 7 March 1786. Though this role was limited to Hildesheim, its confirmation in Paderborn was merely a formality. On 27 January 1788 von Furstenberg was consecrated a bishop in Hildesheim Cathedral and on Frederick William's death succeeded him in both bishoprics. Limited reforms The situation in Paderborn was unfavorable - it was in the midst of a major financial crisis and von Fürstenberg thus renounced the usual expensive festivities to welcome a new prince-bishops. However, this gained him the reputation of a miser among his subjects, who continued to oppose his attempted financial reforms. He made attempts to reduce the two bishoprics' debts, outstanding since the Seven Years' War, but the War of the First Coalition rapidly put an end to them. The poor financial situation also limited attempts by several parties in the