Person

Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim

1744–1805 · 18th century

Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim was the last Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller to rule Malta, and the first German to hold the office, elected in 1797. In June 1798 Napoleon's fleet, on its way to Egypt, demanded entry, and Hompesch surrendered the island without serious resistance. He left Malta, abdicated in 1799 and died in poverty at Montpellier.

Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim
Image: Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Mentioned in 1 state history

Hospitaller Malta

See also

Cite this entry
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim. In The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/ferdinand-von-hompesch-zu-bolheim
MLA
“Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/ferdinand-von-hompesch-zu-bolheim. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/ferdinand-von-hompesch-zu-bolheim.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim’, The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/ferdinand-von-hompesch-zu-bolheim (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random entry ↻