Philipp von Neumann
Encyclopedia
Baron Philipp von Neumann , (Philipp Roger Francis Baron de Neumann) (4 December 1781 – 14 January 1851) was an Austria
n diplomat.
(then in the Austrian Netherlands), the son of Carl von Neumann (an official in the Habsburg administration) and his wife Marie Ducpetiaux. Nothing is known of his education, but, since he did not begin work until he was 21, it seems likely that he attended university. His brother was General-major Maximillian Ritter von Neumann (c1778-1846).
which had come under Austrian control a few years previously. After just over a year he joined the diplomatic service and was posted to Paris
where Prince Klemens Wenzel von Metternich was Austrian ambassador.
Later Neumann joined the staff of the Austrian embassy in London
under the ambassador Prince Esterházy; Neumann served as chargé d'affaires in his absence. Neumann's activity was regarded as notable, especially in 1814 and 1815, on the occasion of the remittance of the British subsidies to the Austrian government, when he succeeded in obtaining very favourable conditions for Austria on the question of the rate of exchange.
In 1824 Neumann took part in the negotiations between Portugal
and Brazil
, as a result of King John VI of Portugal
and his son Emperor Pedro I of Brazil were reconciled. In December 1826 Neumann was sent to Brazil
to negotiate the marriage of Pedro's daughter Maria to his brother Miguel
, and the demand by Miguel that he be recognised as regent of Portugal. In October of the following year he attended the negotiations on this matter carried on at Vienna
.
In December 1829 Neumann conducted the Treaty of Commerce between Austria and Great Britain. In recognition of his services he was created a Baron by the Emperor Francis I of Austria
on 31 August 1830.
In 1844 Neumann became Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary for Austria to the Court of St. James's
. In 1845 he was appointed Austrian minister in Florence
, and on 31 December 1849 he was appointed Austrian minister in Brussels.
. A Roman Catholic ceremony was celebrated first at the Austrian embassy, Chandos House (officiated by Dr. Griffiths, vicar apostolic of the district of London), followed by a Church of England
ceremony at St George's, Hanover Square, Hanover Square (officiated by Dr. Gerald Wellesley).
Neumann and Lady Charlotte Augusta had a daughter Natalie born 9 March 1845 in England. A still-born son was born 13 September 1850. Charlotte Augusta died one week later, aged 44, on 20 September 1850 in Brussels. Neumann died less than four months later on 14 January 1851 in Brussels.
Neumann is buried in the Duke of Beaufort's family vault at Badminton, Gloucestershire
. There is a memorial in Badminton church.
, Commander of the Brazilian Order of the Southern Cross
, Knight Grand Cross of the Russian Order of St Stanislas. He was also awarded the Austrian Cross for Civil Merit.
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n diplomat.
Birth and family
Neumann was born in BrusselsBrussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
(then in the Austrian Netherlands), the son of Carl von Neumann (an official in the Habsburg administration) and his wife Marie Ducpetiaux. Nothing is known of his education, but, since he did not begin work until he was 21, it seems likely that he attended university. His brother was General-major Maximillian Ritter von Neumann (c1778-1846).
Diplomatic career
Neumann began his career in the Austrian Treasury Service in 1802 and was posted to VeniceVenice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
which had come under Austrian control a few years previously. After just over a year he joined the diplomatic service and was posted to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
where Prince Klemens Wenzel von Metternich was Austrian ambassador.
Later Neumann joined the staff of the Austrian embassy in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
under the ambassador Prince Esterházy; Neumann served as chargé d'affaires in his absence. Neumann's activity was regarded as notable, especially in 1814 and 1815, on the occasion of the remittance of the British subsidies to the Austrian government, when he succeeded in obtaining very favourable conditions for Austria on the question of the rate of exchange.
In 1824 Neumann took part in the negotiations between Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
and Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, as a result of King John VI of Portugal
John VI of Portugal
John VI John VI John VI (full name: João Maria José Francisco Xavier de Paula Luís António Domingos Rafael; (13 May 1767 – 10 March 1826) was King of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves (later changed to just King of Portugal and the Algarves, after Brazil was recognized...
and his son Emperor Pedro I of Brazil were reconciled. In December 1826 Neumann was sent to Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
to negotiate the marriage of Pedro's daughter Maria to his brother Miguel
Miguel of Portugal
Dom Miguel I, sometimes Michael , was the King of Portugal between 1828 and 1834, the seventh child and second son of King John VI and his queen, Charlotte of Spain....
, and the demand by Miguel that he be recognised as regent of Portugal. In October of the following year he attended the negotiations on this matter carried on at Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
.
In December 1829 Neumann conducted the Treaty of Commerce between Austria and Great Britain. In recognition of his services he was created a Baron by the Emperor Francis I of Austria
Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor
Francis II was the last Holy Roman Emperor, ruling from 1792 until 6 August 1806, when he dissolved the Empire after the disastrous defeat of the Third Coalition by Napoleon at the Battle of Austerlitz...
on 31 August 1830.
In 1844 Neumann became Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary for Austria to the Court of St. James's
Court of St. James's
The Court of St James's is the royal court of the United Kingdom. It previously had the same function in the Kingdom of England and in the Kingdom of Great Britain .-Overview:...
. In 1845 he was appointed Austrian minister in Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
, and on 31 December 1849 he was appointed Austrian minister in Brussels.
Marriage and children
On 5 December 1844 Neumann married Lady Charlotte Augusta Frederica Somerset (1816-1850), eldest daughter of Henry Somerset, 7th Duke of BeaufortHenry Somerset, 7th Duke of Beaufort
Major Henry Somerset, 7th Duke of Beaufort KG , styled Earl of Glamorgan until 1803 and Marquess of Worcester between 1803 and 1835, was a British peer, soldier and politician.-Background:...
. A Roman Catholic ceremony was celebrated first at the Austrian embassy, Chandos House (officiated by Dr. Griffiths, vicar apostolic of the district of London), followed by a Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
ceremony at St George's, Hanover Square, Hanover Square (officiated by Dr. Gerald Wellesley).
Neumann and Lady Charlotte Augusta had a daughter Natalie born 9 March 1845 in England. A still-born son was born 13 September 1850. Charlotte Augusta died one week later, aged 44, on 20 September 1850 in Brussels. Neumann died less than four months later on 14 January 1851 in Brussels.
Neumann is buried in the Duke of Beaufort's family vault at Badminton, Gloucestershire
Badminton, Gloucestershire
Badminton, Gloucestershire, is a village in England famous for its horse trials, which take place in early May each year in the grounds of the Duke of Beaufort's residence, Badminton House...
. There is a memorial in Badminton church.
Honours
Neumann was a Commander of the Austrian Order of Leopold, Commander of the Portuguese Order of the Tower and SwordOrder of the Tower and Sword
The Military Order of the Tower and of the Sword, of Valour, Loyalty and Merit is a Portuguese order of knighthood and the pinnacle of the Portuguese honours system. It was created by King Afonso V in 1459....
, Commander of the Brazilian Order of the Southern Cross
Order of the Southern Cross
The National Order of the Southern Cross is a Brazilian order of chivalry founded by Emperor Pedro I on 1 December 1822. This order was intended to commemorate the independence of Brazil and the coronation of Pedro I...
, Knight Grand Cross of the Russian Order of St Stanislas. He was also awarded the Austrian Cross for Civil Merit.