Gyula Andrássy

Gyula Andrássy, Hungarian statesman, born in Kassa (now Košice, Slovakia), then part of the Austrian Empire. He became a member of the Hungarian diet (legislature) in 1847. An ardent nationalist, Andrássy participated in the 1848 revolution against Austria. At the surrender of the rebels, Andrássy was serving as envoy to Turkey. He was condemned to death in his absence and remained in exile until 1857, when he obtained an amnesty and returned home. He was returned to the diet in 1861 and became vice-president of the legislative body in 1865.

Upon the formation of Austria-Hungary as a dual monarchy in 1867, Andrássy became Hungarian prime minister. His primary influence was in foreign affairs, maintaining neutrality in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. From 1871 until his resignation in 1879 Andrássy was minister of foreign affairs of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In that capacity he helped to lay the groundwork of the Triple Alliance. He also served as plenipotentiary from Austria-Hungary to the Congress of Berlin in 1878, at which his plan for the occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina was approved.