Lajos Batthyány

1807–1849 (age 42)

Biography

Lajos Batthyány became Hungary's first prime minister in 1848, steering the nascent government through difficult negotiations with Vienna and organizing efforts to enable constitutional governance while respecting the needs of the people.

After the revolution's suppression he accepted responsibility as a statesman, and his execution in 1849 turned him into a symbol of sacrifice for national self-determination and the rule of law.