Duke of Saxe-Meiningen. By 1842, he was lieutenant in the Same-Meiningen rifle battalion. Two years later, he was attending the University of Bonn, where he studied art history, history and law. By 1847, he had completed his studies at Leipzig. Through his lessons with the court painter, he met other artists and became a patron of many. In 1848, he served in the Prussian Guard Cuirassier Regiment and took place in the Schlewsig-Holstien War. When his father abdicated on September 30, 1866, he became reigning duke of the country. He and his eldest son took part in the Franco-Prussian War. Although he was initially positive about the formation of the German empire, he and Kaiser Wilhelm II did have significant variant approaches to government. Georg supported a more liberal and humanistic approach that included incorporation of social democracy in state politics. Reforms were carried out that impacted the school and electoral systems and municipal administration. He campaigned for the advancement of women in educational professions. In 1902, he founded the Herzog George Foundation to train professional nurses. He reorganized the Meiningen Court Theatre and its theatre group. Through his financial support and his active participation in directing and design work, the theatre won international acclaim throughout Europe. The Meiningen court orchestra also achieved world fame, no doubt aided by his employment of such conductors as Hans von Bulow, Richard Strauss and Fritz Steinbach. An inscription was added to the Meiningen Theatre in 1909 which reads: "Georg II - for the joy and elevation of the people." He was considered one of the best examples of intelligent German nobility. Because of his dedication and love of the fine arts, especially theatre, he also became known as the "theatre duke."