Frederick the Great, Or Love and Majesty, an Historical Drama of the Life and Times of a Royal Friend, in 5 Acts, with an Induction, by Randolph Keim

De Benneville Randolph Keim published this historical drama in the late 19th century as part of an effort to romanticize the life and political stature of Frederick the Great. The work was written in five acts with an additional induction, following the conventions of theatrical literature common to the period, which sought to bring historical figures to life for the reading public rather than purely for the stage. Keim, an author known for his historical interests and journalistic background, aimed to capture the duality of Frederick’s public persona as a powerful monarch and his private life as a person defined by complex personal relationships.

The drama reflects the Victorian and post-Civil War American fascination with European royalty, presenting Frederick not merely as a sovereign but as a 'royal friend' to provide a more approachable narrative lens. While the work remains a niche academic interest today, it serves as a distinct example of the dramatic literature produced by minor American playwrights of the era who utilized historical settings to explore themes of duty, majesty, and human connection. It was cataloged in later years by library collections, ensuring the survival of this particular reflection of 19th-century dramaturgical style.