Early life

Zhu Yousong was a member of Ming imperial family. He was eldest son of Zhu Changxun, and a grandson of the Wanli Emperor and Noble Consort Zheng. He followed his father to his fief at Luoyang in 1614 and later was granted the title "Commandery Prince of Dechang" (德昌郡王). He was later designated as Hereditary Prince of Fu.

In 1641, Li Zicheng's forces invaded Luoyang, and Zhu managed to escape but his father was killed. He held his father's princely title in two years later. In 1644, he escaped again to Weihui to seek asylum from his distant uncle, Zhu Changfang, Prince of Lu (grandson of the Longqing Emperor and nephew of the Wanli Emperor). They later escaped to Huai'an together, and were on the same boat with Zhu Gonghao, Prince of Zhou and Zhu Cilun, Prince of Chong. On 25 April, the Chongzhen Emperor committed suicide.

Accession to the throne

Chongzhens death

The news of the Chongzhen Emperor's suicide was met with consternation when it reached Nanjing in mid May 1644. The highest officials in Nanjing soon met to deliberate about how to face the crisis. Since the fate of the official heir apparent was still unknown at the time, many thought it was too early to proclaim a new emperor, but most agreed that an imperial figure was necessary to rally loyalist support for the Ming in the south.

From the perspective of pedigree, the Taichang Emperor had only two sons: Tianqi and Chongzhen emperors. The Tianqi Emperor was sonless, and the three sons of the Chongzhen Emperor were missing. The successor can be only choose from uncles of the Chongzhen Emperor, which were brothers of the Taichang Emperor and other sons of the Wanli Emperor. Zhu Changxun, Prince of Fu was Wanli's 3rd son, Zhu Changhao, Prince of Rui was the 5th son, Zhu Changrun, Prince of Hui was the 6th son and the youngest was Zhu Changying, Prince of Gui (Zhu Youlang's father). Among these imperial uncles, Zhu Changxun was the eldest uncle, and Zhu Yousong was the eldest son of Zhu Changxun. As the imperial sons were missing, Zhu Yousong became the first in line to the succession.

Support of officials

In early June 1644, the court decided that the caretaker government would be centered around Zhu Yousong, Prince of Fu, who was next in line for succession after the dead emperor's sons. When he arrived in the vicinity of Nanjing (he had come from his princedom in Henan), the Prince could count on the military and political support of Ma Shiying (马士英). Many officers allied with the Donglin Movement preferred Zhu Changfang, Prince of Lu to succeed. On June 5 the Prince of Fu entered the city, the next day he accepted the title of "Protector of the State" (监国, sometimes translated as "Regent"), and on June 7 he moved into the imperial palace, where he received the insignia of his new office.

;Three choices for throne

• 15px Zhu Zaihou, the Longqing Emperor

　• 3 15px Zhu Yijun, the Wanli Emperor

　　• 1 15px Zhu Changluo, the Taichang Emperor

　　　• 1 15px Zhu Youjiao, the Tianqi Emperor

　　　• 5 15px Zhu Youjian, the Chongzhen Emperor

　　• 3 Zhu Changxun, Prince Zhong of Fu

　　　• 1 15px Zhu Yousong, Prince of Fu

　　• 7 Zhu Changying, Prince of Gui

　• 4 Zhu Yiliu, Prince Jian of Lu

　　• 1 Zhu Changfang, Prince of Lu

Reign

Prodded by some court officials, the Prince of Fu immediately started to consider becoming Emperor. Fearing confrontation with Ma Shiying and other supporters of the Prince, Shi Kefa convinced reluctant members of the court to accept the enthronement. The Prince of Fu was officially crowned as emperor on June 19, 1644, under the protection of Ma Shiying, who had arrived in Nanjing two days earlier with a large war fleet. It was decided that the next lunar year would be "the first year of the Hongguang reign" (弘光元年) with the capital city of Nanjing. The Hongguang court proclaimed that its goal was "to ally with the Tartars to pacify the bandits" (联虏平寇), that is, to seek co-operation with Qing military forces in order to annihilate rebel peasant militia led by Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong.

The Hongguang regime had been plagued by political struggles from the beginning between the party which was formerly pro-Wei Zhongxian, including the influential officer Ma Shiying, and the pro-Donglin Movement party, including General Shi Kefa. Shi Kefa, who was sent to defend the area north of the Yangtze, could not depend on support from Ma Shiying. Even the generals in the front attacked each other for power and looted the civilians.

In 1645, the Qing army moved rapidly and captured Suzhou. Subsequently, on 25 April of the same year, Yangzhou also fell to the Qing army. General Shi Kefa, who defended Yangzhou, attempted suicide, survived, and was captured. Prince Dodo of the Qing spared his life and even offered Shi a position. Shi, however, remained loyal, so he refused the offer and was executed.

When the news reached Nanjing, the Hongguang Emperor, Ma Shiying and a few eunuchs fled in panic to Wuhu city. On May 15, Minister Zhao Long, Wang Feng, Qian Xian surrendered to the Qing. As a result, Nanjing and a few other cities fell without a fight.

The Hongguang Emperor fled to Anhui on the Yangzi's southern bank at Tongling, joining Huang Degong at his military camp. Huang Degong told him that if he would've fought to the death in Nanjing then all the ministers would have followed his lead in fighting against the Qing, but now that he fled without a struggle and listened to traitors Degong's small army would not act as a guard for the emperor. Huang Degong then said "I am willing to devote my life to you" after which the Emperor resentfully said he could not rely on him as a minister. Then a group of Qing Han Chinese and Banner soldiers showed up in Wuhu to Huang Degong's camp on June 15 under Zhang Tianlu, the Guazhou garrison commander, bannermen from Dodo and general Liu Liangzuo. Huang Degong rejected their demand to turn over the Hongguang Emperor but Zhang Tianlu then shot an arrow into Huang's throat, killing him. Tian Xiong and Ma Deong, the brigade commanders under Huang Degong then defected to the Qing and gave General Liu the Hongguang Emperor. Hongguang was captured on May 28.

Dodo, Qing Prince of Yu, berated the Hongguang Emperor over his battle strategy, telling him that the Southern Ming would have defeated the Qing if only they had assaulted the Qing forces before they forded the Yellow river. The former Emperor could find no words to respond when he attempted to defend himself.

Death

Hongguang was captured and sent to Beijing to face the Qing court. He was then executed in 1646 at Caishikou, which ended his reign as the Southern Ming emperor. The last remnants of the Ming resistance were finally destroyed in 1662.

Family

Consorts and issue

• Empress Xiaozhejian, of the Huang clan (孝哲坚皇后 黄氏)

• Empress Xiaoyi, of the Li clan (孝义皇后 李氏)

• Noble Consort, of the Jin clan (金贵妃)

• Consort, of the Tong clan (童妃)

• Consort, of the Wang clan (汪妃)

• Consort, of the Chen clan (陈妃)

• Lady of Gentleness, of the Huang clan (淑女 黄氏)

• Lady of Gentleness, of the Guo clan (淑女 郭氏)

• Lady of Selected Service, of the Mou clan (选侍 某氏)

• Palace Lady, of the Zhang clan (宫人 张氏)

• Palace Lady, of the Wang clan (宫人 王氏)

• Ye Zimei (叶子眉)

• Palace Lady, of the Xu clan (宫人 徐氏), personal name Shuxiu (淑秀)

• Unknown

　• A daughter

生平

身世

朱由崧小字福八，明神宗孙，福忠王朱常洵嫡长子。万历三十五年（1607年）七月乙巳生于福王府邸，生母姚氏。万历四十二年（1614年）随福王朱常洵就藩于洛阳。万历四十八年（1620年）七月甲辰，封德昌王，后进封福王世子。

崇祯十四年（1641年）正月，农民军首领李自成攻克洛阳，福王朱常洵缒城出，藏匿于迎恩寺，后被搜出，遇害。朱由崧缒城逃脱，前往怀庆避难，崇祯十六年五月袭封福王。崇祯帝手择宫中玉带，遣内使赐之。

崇祯十七年正月，怀庆闻警，朱由崧逃亡卫辉，投奔潞王朱常淓。三月初四卫辉闻警，朱由崧随潞王逃往淮安，与南逃的周王朱恭枵、崇王朱慈爚四位藩王的80馀艘船同日抵达淮安相会，漕运总督路振飞、淮安镇总兵刘泽清迎接，出于安全考虑，安排四王一同寓居于河下西湖嘴舟中。三月十一日，年已六十五岁的周王薨于舟上，三月十八日，福王等三王上岸，住在山西太原盐商杜光绍的绾秀园中 。三月十九日李自成陷北京，崇祯帝自缢，是为甲申之变。廿九日，消息传至淮安。

四月崇祯帝自尽的消息，传至南京，北京沦陷后，南京以及南方各省仍在明朝的控制之下。南京诸臣皆认为国不可一日无君，议立新帝。但对大宝谁属，则有一番论战。

从血统上来说，崇祯帝殉国，其子太子朱慈烺及永王朱慈照、定王朱慈炯陷入清军之手，而崇祯帝已无在世兄弟，而崇祯兄长天启帝无子，其他兄弟皆在未成年之前已死而无后，而故应从崇祯帝父亲明光宗诸弟中选择。福王朱常洵为光宗诸弟中居长，虽于崇祯十四年被李自成杀害，但朱由崧为朱常洵长子，因此在崇祯太子及定、永二王无法至南京继位的情况下，福王本为第一顺位。东林党人则持相反意见，他们恐朱由崧即位后追究昔日「三案」及国本之争攻讦郑贵妃（朱由崧祖母）之事，主张立明神宗之侄潞王朱常淓。史可法并称福王「在藩不忠不孝，恐难主天下」。四月二十六日，张慎言、高弘图、姜曰广、李沾、郭维经、诚意伯刘孔昭、司礼太监韩赞周等在朝中会议，李沾、刘孔昭、韩赞周议立福王，议遂定以福王继统，告庙并修武英殿。凤阳总督马士英与江北四镇黄得功、高杰、刘良佐、刘泽清等人前往淮安迎接朱由崧。四月二十七日甲申，南京礼部率百司迎福王于仪真。

即位

崇祯十七年四月二十八日乙酉，朱由崧至浦口，魏国公徐弘基等渡江迎接。翌日舟泊观音门燕子矶。四月三十日丁亥，南京百官迎见朱由崧于龙江关舟中，请其为监国。朱由崧身穿角巾葛衣，坐于卧榻之上，推说自己未携宫眷一人，准备避难浙东。众臣力劝，朱由崧乃同意。

五月初一戊子，朱由崧骑马自三山门环城而东，拜谒孝陵和懿文太子陵，随后经朝阳门入东华门，谒奉先殿，出西华门，以南京内守备府为行宫。五月初二群臣至行宫劝进，朱由崧以太子及定王、永王不知下落，且瑞王、惠王、桂王均为叔父行，应择贤迎立。诸臣再三劝进，乃依明代宗故事监国。五月初三·庚寅（1644年6月7日），自大明门入大内，至武英殿行监国礼。是日吴三桂引清摄政王多尔衮入北京。

崇祯十七年五月十五·壬寅（1644年6月19日），朱由崧即皇帝位于武英殿，以次年为弘光元年。其国号依旧为「大明」，史称「南明」。

朱由崧即位后，于六月戊午追封祖母郑贵妃为孝宁太皇太后，父福忠王朱常洵为贞纯肃哲圣敬仁毅恭皇帝（后改谥孝皇帝），立庙于南京，墓园称熙陵。上嫡母邹氏尊号为恪贞仁寿皇太后，生母姚氏为孝诚端惠慈顺贞穆皇太后。追封洛阳城陷时遇害的胞弟颍上王朱由矩为颍王，谥曰冲。六月辛酉上崇祯帝庙号为思宗，谥号烈皇帝。七月己丑追复懿文太子帝号，追崇建文帝、景泰帝庙号谥号。

政治

东林党人编撰的史书说朱由崧生性暗弱，不忠不孝，荒淫无耻，政事则悉委于马士英、阮大铖。马、阮二人日以卖官鬻爵、报撼私仇为事，导致南明政事萎靡，不断发生内讧；而名臣李清则力为弘光辩冤，说这些记载都是谣言，又说弘光帝很少接近女色。在外以史可法督师江北，设淮、扬、凤、庐四镇，以黄得功、刘良佐、刘泽清、高杰为总兵统领，南明出现军阀化的趋势。前线将领不但因争权而互相攻击，也有掠夺平民的行为。

朱由崧即位后，下令选淑女入宫，派宦官于南京城中四出搜巷，凡是有女之家，必以黄纸贴额，持之而去，南京城中骚动。朱由崧又下令修西宫西一路为慈禧殿，以安置继母邹太后。当年八月邹太后自河南至南京，八月十四日谕户、兵、工三部「太后光临，限三日内搜括万金，以备赏赐」。八月十六日御用监又令造龙凤床座、床顶架、宫殿陈设金玉等项，越数十万两。造皇后冠，命内臣采购猫眼石、祖母绿及大珠重一钱以上者百馀颗。崇祯十七年除夕，弘光帝独坐兴宁宫中，愀然不乐。太监韩赞周问道：「宫殿新落成，皇上应当欢喜，而闷闷不乐，是思念皇兄吗？」弘光帝不应，继而回答说：「梨园殊少佳者」。弘光元年（1645年）正月，弘光帝又下令修南京奉先殿、午门及左右掖门，并派太监田成至杭州、嘉兴二府选淑女。

崇祯十七年九月初三，弘光帝下令为北京殉难诸臣上谥号，计文臣二十一人、勋臣二人、戚臣一人。随后又给郢国公冯国用、宋国公冯胜、济国公丁德兴、德庆侯廖永忠、长兴侯耿炳文等开国功臣追上谥号；给方孝孺、齐泰、黄子澄、陈迪、景清、卓敬、练子宁等建文朝死难诸臣，蒋钦、陆震等正德朝死谏诸臣，左光斗、周朝瑞、周宗建、袁化中、顾大章、周起元等天启朝死阉党诸臣上谥号。

弘光元年三月初一甲申，有自称崇祯太子朱慈烺者至南京，朱由崧命令将其关入兵马司监狱，后命百官审「北来太子」于午门外，终裁断为伪太子王之明(驸马王昺之侄孙)，是为「崇祯太子案」、「南都太子案」。三月庚申，宁南侯左良玉乃举兵于武昌，以「救太子、诛士英」为名顺流而下，黄得功、阮大铖率兵御之，南明发生内讧。正值此时，清军在豫王多铎率领下大举南下，攻陷归德、颍州、太和、泗州等地。

弘光元年四月辛未，清军围攻江北重镇扬州。督师江北的兵部尚书史可法率城中百姓抵御清军，清军围困百日，损失惨重。史可法急忙向朝廷求援，但却因为镇将们个个拥兵自重、意图观望，最终扬州在被围五天后沦陷。清军攻破扬州之后进行了十天屠杀，史称「扬州十日」。四月甲子，弘光帝在南京贡院选淑女，七十人中选中一人，即阮大铖的侄女。四月壬戌，杭州送来淑女五十人，弘光帝选中周姓一人，王姓一人。

弘光元年五月初八己丑，清军自瓜洲渡江，镇江巡抚杨文骢逃奔苏州，靖虏伯郑鸿逵逃入东海，总兵蒋云台投降。南京闭城门。五月初十辛卯，朱由崧传旨放归所选淑女，当天午夜尤召梨园入宫演剧。翌日凌晨二漏时，朱由崧率内官四五十人骑马出通济门，莫知所踪。天亮后百官入朝，见宫女、内臣、优伶杂沓逃奔西华门外，方知弘光帝已出逃。南京城内大哗，马士英携邹太后出奔，市民救北来太子出狱，扶其入宫，在武英殿即位。五月十二日癸巳，朱由崧至太平府，以按察院为行宫，寻即移驾芜湖，投奔靖国公黄得功军营。五月十五日丙申，清军入南京，魏国公徐胤爵、保国公朱国弼、灵璧侯汤国祚、定远侯邓文郁，及尚书钱谦益、大学士王铎、都御史唐世济等人剃发降清。

清军攻克南京后，多铎命降将刘良佐带清兵追击弘光帝。五月二十二日癸卯，总兵田雄、马得功、丘钺、张杰、黄名、陈献策冲上御舟，劫持弘光帝，将其献给清军。豫王多铎命去锁链，以红绳捆绑。五月二十五日丙午，朱由崧乘无幔小轿入南京聚宝门，头蒙缁素帕，身衣蓝布袍，以油扇掩面，两妃乘驴随后，夹路百姓唾骂，有投瓦砾者。多铎在灵璧侯府设宴，命朱由崧居于北来太子之下。宴罢，拘弘光帝于江宁县署。

被害

南明弘光元年（1645年）闰六月，唐王朱聿键即位于福州，改元隆武，遥上朱由崧尊号为「圣安皇帝」。同年九月甲寅，朱由崧与皇太后邹氏、潞王朱常淓等人被押送至北京，由清朝太医院安置居住，日时馈宴，朱由崧酣饮极乐。

清顺治三年（1646年）五月十九日，有人向清摄政王多尔衮告发，称居住北京的前明衡王朱由棷、荆王朱慈煃欲谋反。同年五月甲子，弘光帝与秦王朱存极、晋王朱审烜、潞王朱常淓、荆王朱慈煃、徳王朱由栎、衡王朱由棷等十七人被斩首于菜市口（一说弘光帝以弓弦绞死）。

陵墓

朱由崧王妃黄氏之弟黄调鼎购得棺木，与黄妃合葬于河南孟津县东山头村。

追谥

弘光帝凶讯南传后，监国鲁王朱以海上谥号为赧皇帝，不久又上庙谥为质宗安皇帝。永历帝立，于永历十一年四月改弘光帝庙号曰安宗，谥号奉天遵道宽和静穆修文布武温恭仁孝简皇帝。

评价争议

根据明末清初笔记记载，朱由崧是个十分昏庸腐朽的君主，整日只知吃喝玩乐，沉湎于酒色之中，不理朝政。崇祯十七年（1644年）除夕，当清军南下之际，朱由崧却在群臣面前感叹「后宫寥落，旦新春南都无新声」，下令广选美女。由于纵欲无度，还命人替他捉蛤蟆配制春药，金陵的百姓叫他「蛤蟆天子」。

在其即位之前，史可法曾写信给马士英说明「福王七不可立」──贪、淫、酗酒、不孝、虐下、无知和专横。由史可法、张慎言、高弘图等17人签名送与马士英。后人称其为明朝及南明最昏庸的帝王，唯知享乐，不问政事，沉湎酒色，荒淫透顶。然而有学者认为细检史籍传闻难据，并认为其缘由多为东林党人因国本之争对福王藩一系的成见所致，而其本来的经历显现的是并非昏庸且颇有个性的政治家形象；如曾任弘光朝给事中李清《三垣笔记》、《南渡录》及《甲申日记》对荒淫纵欲之事，且加辩诬。此外，朱由崧为靖难之变殉难的明惠帝一系君臣平反，并贬抑事发当时扩大迫害的陈瑛及转投迎附的胡广，还汇整受到明太祖忌惮的开国名臣以及明朝各代的能臣以作补諡。因此其政治得失尚有争议。

钱海岳《南明史》评价弘光帝「北京颠覆，上膺鼎籙，丰芑奠磐，徵用俊耆。卷阿翽羽，相得益彰。故初政有客观者。性素宽厚，马、阮欲以《三朝要典》起大狱，屡请不允。观其谕解良玉，委任继咸，词婉处当；拒纳银赎罪之议，禁武臣罔利之非，皆非武、熹昏呆之比。顾少读书，章奏未能亲裁，政事一出士英，不从中制，坐是狐鸣虎噬，咆哮恣睢，纪纲倒持。及大铖得志，众正去朝，罗罻高张，党祸益烈。上燕居神功，辄顿足谓士英误我，而太阿旁落，无可如何，遂日饮火酒，亲伶官优人为乐，卒至触蛮之争，清收渔利。时未一朞，柱折维缺。故虽遗爱足以感其遗民，而卒不能保社稷云。」

家庭

后妃

皇后

• 孝哲懿庄温正仁靖仪天昭圣简皇后黄氏

• 孝义端仁肃明贞洁熙天诒圣皇后李氏

妃

• 金贵妃，洛阳人，本为邹太后侍女，弘光帝即位后入宫；其后弘光帝被清军拘拿在江宁县，邹太后与金妃同居一室，之后被清军驱赶北渡，渡淮河时，乘间隙投水而死。

• 童妃，存疑，见童妃案

• 陈妃，淮阳妓女，被清军拘拿

• 汪妃，淮阳妓女，被清军拘拿

• 淑女黄氏

• 淑女郭氏

• 选侍某，南京失陷后出家，法名真修

• 张宫人，南京失陷后投水自杀

• 王宫人，南京失陷后出家

• 叶子眉

• 宫人徐淑秀，南京失陷后再嫁邵某，号「昭阳遗子」

兄弟

• 颍冲王 朱由榘，原封颍上郡王

• 德怀王 朱由桦

子女

子

• （早夭）

女

• 长女（夭折）

影视形象

电影

电视剧