Franz Graf Esterházy von Galántha

Count Ferenc Esterházy de Galántha (; 19 September 1683 – 22 November 1754) was a Hungarian noble and politician who served as Master of the Treasury from 1746 to 1754. He is considered the founder of the Cseklész branch.

Early life Esterházy was born into the noble House of Esterházy on 19 September 1683 at Pápa, Veszprém in the Kingdom of Hungary. He was the youngest son of Count Ferenc "Ferko" Esterházy de Galántha (1641–1683), who died a month after his birth, and Countess Katalin "Catharina" Thököly de Késmárk (1655–1701). Before his parents' marriage, his father was married to Countess Ilona Illeshazy.

His father was the youngest son of Count Nikolaus Esterházy de Galántha (a son of Count Ferenc Esterházy and Zsófia Illésházy), who was Palatine of Hungary from 1625 to 1645, and, his second wife, Baroness Krisztina Nyáry de Bedegh. His paternal uncle, Paul Esterházy, was created the 1st Fürst (Prince) Esterházy by the Holy Roman Emperor in 1712. His maternal grandparents were Count István Thököly de Késmárk and Mária Gyulaffy de Ráthót.

Career

Esterházy is considered the founder of the Cseklész branch of the Esterházy family, where he started construction of the Eszterházy Palace in Pápa, which was completed in 1784 by his son, Bishop Károly Esterházy.

He was the Chief Bailiff (Obergespan) of Borsod County and, after its establishment, a member of the Royal Hungarian Governor's Council. From 1746 to 1754, Esterházy served as the Master of the Treasury.

Personal life

Esterházy was married to Countess Maria Szidónia Pálffy ab Erdöd (1690–1743), a daughter of Count János V Pálffy ab Erdöd, the Ban of Croatia and Palatine of the Kingdom of Hungary, and, his first wife, Countess Teréz Czobor de Czoborszentmihály. Together, they were the parents of:

Miklós "Nikolaus" Esterházy de Galántha (1711–1764), who served as the Austrian Envoy to Russia from 1753 to 1761; he married Princess Anna Lubomirska, a daughter of Prince Teodor Lubomirski, in 1744. János Esterházy de Galántha (b. 1713), who died young. Mihály Esterházy de Galántha (1716–1741), who died unmarried. József Esterházy de Galántha (1721–1776), who died unmarried.