Born into an ancient House of Nassau, he was the younger son of the ruling Prince Charles of Nassau-Usingen and his wife, Princess Christine Wilhelmine of Saxe-Eisenach (1711-1740).

He achieved the rank of colonel and led the infantry regiment von Fersen.

He fought in the battles of Hastenbeck, Sonderhausen, Lutternberg, Bergen and Minden.

In the War of the Bavarian Succession, his regiment was part of the army of Prince Henry.

He was married to Baroness Carolina Wilhelmina von Reischach zum Reichenstein (1740-1804), who previously served as lady in waiting at the princely court of Nassau-Usingen in Biebrich and princely court of Hesse-Cassel in Hanau.