Rainer Ferdinand, Erzherzog von Österreich#

Rainer (Ferdinand), Archduke of Austria, b. Milan (Italy), Jan. 11, 1827, d. Vienna, Jan. 27, 1913, nephew of Emperor Franz II (I). Was called upon by Emperor Franz Joseph I to preside over the appointed Reichsrat, 1861-1865 as titular prime minister headed the liberal cabinet of A. von Schmerling, 1868-1906 supreme commander of the Landwehr and 1874 master general of ordnance. Promoted the sciences (e.g. as curator of the Academy of Sciences and protector of the Austrian Museum of Art and Industry) and donated his papyrus collection to the court library (now National Library).

Literature#