The Imperial Austrian Order of Elizabeth (German: Kaiserlich österreichischer Elizabeth-Orden), founded in 1898 by Francis Joseph, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, was an order created for women. The order was the namesake of Saint Elisabeth of Hungary, but it was created to honor and memorialize Franz Joseph's late wife, Empress-Queen Elisabeth. The order was divided into three classes: Grand Cross, first and second classes. There was also an Elizabeth Medal for civil merit.