Schwarzenberg, Felix zu, Prince

Schwarzenberg, Felix zu, Prince (1800-1852), Austrian statesman, leader of the Austrian government that followed the revolution of 1848. Born at Krumau in Bohemia, Schwarzenberg joined a cavalry regiment at the age of 18 and was rapidly promoted until he eventually became field marshal. He joined the diplomatic service, serving as an attaché in Moscow and then minister in Turin and Naples.

On the outbreak of the Austrian revolution of 1848 against the Habsburg dynasty, Schwarzenberg rejoined the army. In October he was called to the Austrian court, then headquartered in Olmütz (now Olomouc) in Moravia. On the recommendation of his brother-in-law, Prince Alfred Windisch-Grätz, Schwarzenberg was selected to lead the planned reaction by Habsburg forces. Schwarzenberg took office on November 21 as prime minister; he was also in charge of foreign affairs. Schwarzenberg drew up a constitution transforming the Austrian government into a centralized, absolutist state that restored the Habsburg empire as a great European power. With the help of Russia, he crushed resistance in Hungary, where he established a dictatorship. Schwarzenberg died suddenly of a stroke on April 5, 1852.