Cobenzl, Ludwig

Born Nov. 21, 1753, in Brussels; died Feb. 22, 1809, in Vienna. Count; Austrian diplomat and statesman.

From 1779 to 1800, Cobenzl was first the envoy and then the ambassador to Russia. He took part in organizing the monarchical coalition against revolutionary France. He signed the Treaty of Campo Formio (1797) and the Treaty of Luneville (1801). In September 1800, Cobenzl became minister of foreign affairs and vice-chancellor of state; from September 1801 through December 1805 he was de facto head of the government. The defeat of the allied army by Napoleon’s troops at Austerlitz (Dec. 2, 1805) brought about his retirement.