Joseph Unger

Joseph Unger was a prominent Austrian jurist and politician, born in 1828. He pursued his academic interests in law at the university in his hometown, where he later held various positions, including assistant librarian and privatdozent. His career in academia led him to appointments at universities in Prague and Vienna, ultimately resulting in his professorship of jurisprudence at the University of Vienna in 1857. Unger's expertise in law laid the foundation for his future endeavors in politics.

Unger's transition into politics began in 1867, when he was elected to the Austrian Landtag and the Reichsrat. Although his tenure was cut short due to health issues, he continued to play a significant role in Austrian politics. In 1869, he was appointed a life member of the House of Lords by Emperor Franz Joseph, and he soon became a key figure in the Liberal Party. Unger's political career included a stint as minister in Prince Auersperg's cabinet, which ended with the prime minister's defeat in 1879. He later served as president of the Reichsgericht, starting in 1881, and passed away in 1913. Notably, Unger converted to Roman Catholicism from Judaism in 1852, a significant personal decision that occurred early in his career.