Archduke Rainer Ferdinand of Austria
Archduke Rainer Ferdinand Maria Johann Evangelist Franz Ignaz of Austria (born 11 January 1827 in Milan, † 27 January 1913 in Vienna ) was a popular member of the imperial family, patron of art and science, and the Supreme Commander of the Imperial Landwehr ( the Cisleithanian territorial defense ).
Life and work
The son of Archduke Rainer Joseph Johann, the Viceroy of Lombardy and nephew of Emperor Franz I., was appointed in 1857 by Emperor Franz Joseph I to the top of the appointed Imperial Council, was from 1861 to 1865 as the nominal Prime Minister, head of the Liberal cabinet of Anton Schmerling, served 1868-1906 as Supreme Commander of the Imperial Landwehr and was promoted in 1874 to Feldzeugmeister.
Rainer promoted the arts and sciences. Among other things, he was president of the 1873 Vienna World Exhibition, curator of the Academy of Sciences and protector of the Austrian Museum of Art and Industry. In 1884, he earned a found in Fayum papyrus stock and presented it in 1899, kk Library (now Austrian National Library ). This papyrus collection of Archduke Rainer is a UNESCO World Documentary Heritage today.
Since 1852 Rainer was married to his cousin Archduchess Marie Caroline ( 1825-1915 ), daughter of Archduke Charles, the victor of Aspern 1809. The two were because of their frequent presence in the public and its many charitable activities for decades the most popular members of the imperial family. The marriage of Rainer Marie and Karoline was very happy. The celebration of their Diamond Wedding Anniversary in 1912 was estimated later as the last major event of the defunct monarchy. As Rainer Marie and Karoline had no children but were very friendly, they imply extensive care towards the needs of children and young people, even in the Habsburg family.
Rainer was from 1852 to holders of k ( u ) k Infantry Regiment No.. 59 After his death, this Salzburg house Regiment (IR 59) was " to everlasting times", the term " Archduke Rainer". The Rainer barracks in Elsbethen was until recently army site, and is in re-use process. In Salzburg is also a Rainer Street, reminiscent of the regiment of the Archduke. Hans Schmid wrote in honor of this regiment to Rainer Marsch. Its tradition is today from Light Infantry Battalion Salzburg - continued Archduke Rainer of the Austrian Armed Forces. Since 1999, in Salzburg again a Rainermusik ( tradition music chapel of kuk IR " Archduke Rainer" No. 59 ). It is dedicated to the care of the musical tradition of the former imperial Military bands.
1854 bought by the Archduke the later Archduke Rainer Palais -called Castle in the 4th district, where he lived with his wife until his death. A the area in the south -limiting and into the 1861 severed 5th district reaching alley in 1862 Rainergasse named (Palais on No. 18 ), to the east, the area had the address Schönburgstraße 1, in the northwest Wiedner Hauptstrasse 63 The palace was after war - and crew damage 1957/1958 by Semperit AG removed. A little further into town on No. 27-29 situated on the Wiedner Hauptstrasse four star operation accounts since 1912 with the approval of the Archduke Archduke Rainer hotel name. 1873 was about the villa of Gustav Ritter von Epstein in Baden in the possession of the Archduke, as Epstein miscalculated. The architect of the mansion was Otto Wagner. The Archduke spent with his wife, especially the summer in Baden.
Passed in 1895 to Archduke Rainer of Princess Wilhelmine of Montléart their possession on the Gallitzinberg and left there in 1903 Wilhelminenberg Castle build.