Karl, Count Chotek of Chotkow and Wognin
Encyclopedia
Karl, Count Chotek of Chotkow and Wognin ; 23 July 1783 18 December 1868) was an Austrian
chancellor, Government President (Gubernialpräsident) and school reformer of Bohemia
and honorary citizen of Innsbruck
and Prague
.
, Habsburg Monarchy
, the sixth child and fifth son of Johann Rudolf, Count Chotek of Chotkow and Wognin
(1748–1824) and Countess Maria Sidonia of Clary and Aldringen (1748–1824).
Karl Graf Chotek studied law in Vienna and Prague. In 1803 he joined the civil service. From 1809 he was senior administrative posts in Moravia
and successfully reorganized the Trieste
district office, which is why in 1815 after the defeat of Joachim Murat
's he became governor-general in the Kingdom of Naples
.
and Vorarlberg in 1819.
Together with the mayor of the city of Innsbruck, Felix Adam of Riccabona, in 1822 he initiated the founding of the "Sparkasse Innsbruck" (now Tiroler Sparkasse) as the second bank in Austria (after the First Austrian Savings Bank
).
In memory of one of its founders, the Tiroler Sparkasse awards in the 2-year cycle the "Count Chotek University Award", awarded at a very good degree and master's theses.
As state governor, he founded in Innsbruck a committee to establish a "Patriotic Museum for Tyrol", which later became Tyrolean State Museum
also known as the Ferdinandeum. As early as 1800, Archduke John had the idea of this epochal project - as a "collection of all provincial products, which should serve as a model for the rest of the hereditary states.", as a result of the Napoleonic Wars
, but it was not established until 1823, a decade after the Universalmuseum Joanneum was opened in Styria.
Already the first statutes of the new institution had advanced content, "the progressive formation of the nation in general and in detail, especially the awakening and revival of interest, the products of nature, art and antiquity... " and the publication of a science-based journal. This purpose definition went beyond the romantic-historical notions of the Biedermeier
period and far beyond, all conditions of the Tyrolean crown land collect, organize, and make them serve for the future.
Social policy
went significant with the introduction of fire insurance, which under Emperor Joseph II
had not caused it to prevail. Karl supported the efforts of Baron Josef of Giovanelli (1784–1845) to establish a nonprofit institute, which took place in February 1825. For this he was the first honorary citizen of Innsbruck in 1825.
In Prague, Karl learned historian and politician from František Palacký
,which he had a close friendship until his death. Palacký taught Karl, Czech language
with which he mastered so far.
Count Karl worked energetically and purposefully in Prague Castle
as Colonel Count. He sat on the improvement of infrastructure, especially in the construction of good roads and bridges. He also advocated for the first horsecar
in Prague and the steamboat trip on Elbe
river, and for the expansion of Prague's sewage system and street lighting. He supported the development of industry, education and the arts. In 1827 he wrote an important decree, which the export of art historically valuable objects needed the approval of the provincial administration.
One of the most popular destinations for walkers - the popular garden between the rear part of Prague Castle and Malá Strana
- in 1840 was named after Viscount Chotek.
In 1842, in Prague, Karl was appinted as honorary citizen for his services. Through intrigue and sometimes criticism of his expensive projects, he was later forced to resign. At the end of July 1843 he was relieved at his request, his body and his life was on Březno Castle in northern Bohemia. He died on 28 December 1868 in Vienna, but was buried in Waltire at Litoměřice
.
In 1836, he was awarded with the Order of the Golden Fleece
.
to Countess Marie Berchtold, Baroness of Ungarschitz (1794–1878), elder daughter of Count Anton Berchtold, and his wife, Marie Anna Franziska Huszár de Szent-Baráth.
They had two sons:
Austrian Empire
The Austrian Empire was a modern era successor empire, which was centered on what is today's Austria and which officially lasted from 1804 to 1867. It was followed by the Empire of Austria-Hungary, whose proclamation was a diplomatic move that elevated Hungary's status within the Austrian Empire...
chancellor, Government President (Gubernialpräsident) and school reformer of Bohemia
Kingdom of Bohemia
The Kingdom of Bohemia was a country located in the region of Bohemia in Central Europe, most of whose territory is currently located in the modern-day Czech Republic. The King was Elector of Holy Roman Empire until its dissolution in 1806, whereupon it became part of the Austrian Empire, and...
and honorary citizen of Innsbruck
Innsbruck
- Main sights :- Buildings :*Golden Roof*Kaiserliche Hofburg *Hofkirche with the cenotaph of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor*Altes Landhaus...
and Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
.
Life and education
Karl was born at ViennaVienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, Habsburg Monarchy
Habsburg Monarchy
The Habsburg Monarchy covered the territories ruled by the junior Austrian branch of the House of Habsburg , and then by the successor House of Habsburg-Lorraine , between 1526 and 1867/1918. The Imperial capital was Vienna, except from 1583 to 1611, when it was moved to Prague...
, the sixth child and fifth son of Johann Rudolf, Count Chotek of Chotkow and Wognin
Johann Rudolf, Count Chotek of Chotkow and Wognin
Johann Rudolf, Count Chotek of Chotkow and Wognin was an Austrian finance minister and Government President in the Kingdom of Bohemia.-Life:...
(1748–1824) and Countess Maria Sidonia of Clary and Aldringen (1748–1824).
Karl Graf Chotek studied law in Vienna and Prague. In 1803 he joined the civil service. From 1809 he was senior administrative posts in Moravia
Moravia
Moravia is a historical region in Central Europe in the east of the Czech Republic, and one of the former Czech lands, together with Bohemia and Silesia. It takes its name from the Morava River which rises in the northwest of the region...
and successfully reorganized the Trieste
Trieste
Trieste is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is situated towards the end of a narrow strip of land lying between the Adriatic Sea and Italy's border with Slovenia, which lies almost immediately south and east of the city...
district office, which is why in 1815 after the defeat of Joachim Murat
Joachim Murat
Joachim-Napoléon Murat , Marshal of France and Grand Admiral or Admiral of France, 1st Prince Murat, was Grand Duke of Berg from 1806 to 1808 and then King of Naples from 1808 to 1815...
's he became governor-general in the Kingdom of Naples
Kingdom of Naples
The Kingdom of Naples, comprising the southern part of the Italian peninsula, was the remainder of the old Kingdom of Sicily after secession of the island of Sicily as a result of the Sicilian Vespers rebellion of 1282. Known to contemporaries as the Kingdom of Sicily, it is dubbed Kingdom of...
.
Governor of Tyrol and Vorarlberg
In 1818, he came a Privy Councillor and Vice President for Tyrol, where he was governor of TyrolCounty of Tyrol
The County of Tyrol, Princely County from 1504, was a State of the Holy Roman Empire, from 1814 a province of the Austrian Empire and from 1867 a Cisleithanian crown land of Austria-Hungary...
and Vorarlberg in 1819.
Together with the mayor of the city of Innsbruck, Felix Adam of Riccabona, in 1822 he initiated the founding of the "Sparkasse Innsbruck" (now Tiroler Sparkasse) as the second bank in Austria (after the First Austrian Savings Bank
Erste Group
Erste Group Bank AG is one of the largest financial services providers in Central and Eastern Europe and focuses on retail and SME banking. More than 50,000 employees are serving clients in over 3,000 branches in 8 countries .Erste Group was founded in 1819 as the first Austrian savings bank...
).
In memory of one of its founders, the Tiroler Sparkasse awards in the 2-year cycle the "Count Chotek University Award", awarded at a very good degree and master's theses.
As state governor, he founded in Innsbruck a committee to establish a "Patriotic Museum for Tyrol", which later became Tyrolean State Museum
Tyrolean State Museum
The Tyrolean State Museum in Innsbruck is also known as the Ferdinandeum after Archduke Ferdinand and was founded in 1823 by the Tyrolean State Museum Ferdinandeum Society ....
also known as the Ferdinandeum. As early as 1800, Archduke John had the idea of this epochal project - as a "collection of all provincial products, which should serve as a model for the rest of the hereditary states.", as a result of the Napoleonic Wars
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
, but it was not established until 1823, a decade after the Universalmuseum Joanneum was opened in Styria.
Already the first statutes of the new institution had advanced content, "the progressive formation of the nation in general and in detail, especially the awakening and revival of interest, the products of nature, art and antiquity... " and the publication of a science-based journal. This purpose definition went beyond the romantic-historical notions of the Biedermeier
Biedermeier
In Central Europe, the Biedermeier era refers to the middle-class sensibilities of the historical period between 1815, the year of the Congress of Vienna at the end of the Napoleonic Wars, and 1848, the year of the European revolutions...
period and far beyond, all conditions of the Tyrolean crown land collect, organize, and make them serve for the future.
Social policy
Social policy
Social policy primarily refers to guidelines, principles, legislation and activities that affect the living conditions conducive to human welfare. Thus, social policy is that part of public policy that has to do with social issues...
went significant with the introduction of fire insurance, which under Emperor Joseph II
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Joseph II was Holy Roman Emperor from 1765 to 1790 and ruler of the Habsburg lands from 1780 to 1790. He was the eldest son of Empress Maria Theresa and her husband, Francis I...
had not caused it to prevail. Karl supported the efforts of Baron Josef of Giovanelli (1784–1845) to establish a nonprofit institute, which took place in February 1825. For this he was the first honorary citizen of Innsbruck in 1825.
Governor of Bohemia
Karls merits of cultural policy in 1825 led him being called to Vienna as chancellor and president of Collegial Body for Academic Affairs. In October 1826 he was elected senior viscount and Imperial Government President of the Kingdom of Bohemia in Prague. He held this office until 1843 and gained recognition for the promotion of education, the road construction and the establishment of institutions to help and care poor people.In Prague, Karl learned historian and politician from František Palacký
František Palacký
František Palacký was a Czech historian and politician.-Biography:...
,which he had a close friendship until his death. Palacký taught Karl, Czech language
Czech language
Czech is a West Slavic language with about 12 million native speakers; it is the majority language in the Czech Republic and spoken by Czechs worldwide. The language was known as Bohemian in English until the late 19th century...
with which he mastered so far.
Count Karl worked energetically and purposefully in Prague Castle
Prague Castle
Prague Castle is a castle in Prague where the Kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors and presidents of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic have had their offices. The Czech Crown Jewels are kept here...
as Colonel Count. He sat on the improvement of infrastructure, especially in the construction of good roads and bridges. He also advocated for the first horsecar
Horsecar
A horsecar or horse-drawn tram is an animal-powered streetcar or tram.These early forms of public transport developed out of industrial haulage routes that had long been in existence, and from the omnibus routes that first ran on public streets in the 1820s, using the newly improved iron or steel...
in Prague and the steamboat trip on Elbe
Elbe
The Elbe is one of the major rivers of Central Europe. It rises in the Krkonoše Mountains of the northwestern Czech Republic before traversing much of Bohemia , then Germany and flowing into the North Sea at Cuxhaven, 110 km northwest of Hamburg...
river, and for the expansion of Prague's sewage system and street lighting. He supported the development of industry, education and the arts. In 1827 he wrote an important decree, which the export of art historically valuable objects needed the approval of the provincial administration.
One of the most popular destinations for walkers - the popular garden between the rear part of Prague Castle and Malá Strana
Malá Strana
Malá Strana is a district of the city of Prague, Czech Republic, and one of its most historic regions.The name translated into English literally means "Little Side", though it is frequently referred to as "Lesser Town", "Lesser Quarter", or "Lesser Side"...
- in 1840 was named after Viscount Chotek.
In 1842, in Prague, Karl was appinted as honorary citizen for his services. Through intrigue and sometimes criticism of his expensive projects, he was later forced to resign. At the end of July 1843 he was relieved at his request, his body and his life was on Březno Castle in northern Bohemia. He died on 28 December 1868 in Vienna, but was buried in Waltire at Litoměřice
Litomerice
Litoměřice is a town at the junction of the rivers Elbe and Ohře in the north part of the Czech Republic, approximately 64 km northwest of Prague....
.
In 1836, he was awarded with the Order of the Golden Fleece
Order of the Golden Fleece
The Order of the Golden Fleece is an order of chivalry founded in Bruges by Philip III, Duke of Burgundy in 1430, to celebrate his marriage to the Portuguese princess Infanta Isabella of Portugal, daughter of King John I of Portugal. It evolved as one of the most prestigious orders in Europe...
.
Marriage and family
Karl married on 9 June 1817 in ViennaVienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
to Countess Marie Berchtold, Baroness of Ungarschitz (1794–1878), elder daughter of Count Anton Berchtold, and his wife, Marie Anna Franziska Huszár de Szent-Baráth.
They had two sons:
- Count Anton Chotek of Chotkow and Wognin (27 March 1822 – 1 June 1883), married in 1851 to Olga von Moltke; had issue.
- Bohuslav, Count Chotek of Chotkow and WogninBohuslav, Count Chotek of Chotkow and WogninBohuslav, Count Chotek von Chotkow und Wognin. was a Bohemian noble and was a diplomat in the service of Austria-Hungary. He was the father of Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg the morganatic wife of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria.-Life:...
(3 July 1829 – 11 October 1896), married in 1859 to Countess Wilhelmine Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau; had issue.