Beust, Friedrich Ferdinand

Beust, Friedrich Ferdinand frēˈdrĭkh fĕrˈdĭnänt boist [key], 1809–86, Saxon and Austrian politician. He held various portfolios in the Saxon ministry and served as premier (1853–66), but his opposition to Bismarck forced his resignation after Saxony's defeat in the Austro-Prussian War. He entered the service of Austria, becoming foreign minister (1866), prime minister (Feb., 1867), and chancellor (June, 1867). With the Hungarians Julius Andrássy and Francis Deak he negotiated the Ausgleich [compromise] of 1867, which resulted in the establishment of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Created a count in 1868, Beust was dismissed in 1871, but later served as ambassador to London (1871–78) and Paris (1878–82).

See his memoirs (tr. 1887).

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