Karl Johann Baptist, Prince of Dietrichstein

Karl Johann Baptist, Prince of Dietrichstein (Karl Johann Baptist Walther Sigismund Ernest Nepomuk Alois; 27 June 1728 – 25 May 1808), was a German prince, member of the House of Dietrichstein, 7th Prince (Fürst) of Dietrichstein zu Nikolsburg, Princely Count (gefürsteter Graf) of Tarasp, Baron (Freiherr) of Hollenburg, Finkenstein and Thalberg.

Early life Born in Nikolsburg, although some sources placed Vienna as his birthplace, he was the eldest child of Karl Maximilian, 6th Prince of Dietrichstein, and Countess Maria Anna of Khevenhüller-Aichelberg-Hohenosterwitz (1705–1764), daughter of Sigismund Frederick I, Count of Khevenhüller-Aichelberg-Hohenosterwitz (1666–1742) and Countess Ernestine of Orsini und Rosenberg (1683–1728).

Life

Karl Johann, together with his younger brother Franz de Paula, graduated from the grammar school in Vienna, and in 1749 they went to study Law at Leipzig University. Shortly after, Karl Johann and his brother made the customary Grand Tour through Europe. They traveled to Hannover, the Netherlands, Belgium and then to Italy, where both princes completed their tour with a stay in Rome. They returned to the Imperial court at the end of 1752.

The brother obtained the title of Kämmerer, but Karl Johann, the eldest and Hereditary Prince (Erbprinz) became one of the secret Konferenzminister. In 1756 he obtained a diplomatic post in Denmark, where he was able to negotiate a truce against the Prussians. During this trip, he became closely connected with Freemasonry.

After the death without issue of his distant cousin Anton Joseph Leslie, Imperial Count Leslie of Balquhain (22 February 1802), Karl Johann inherited his titles and lands. Since then, the full name of the family was Dietrichstein-Proskau-Leslie.

Despite all the historical events that took place during this time, Karl Johann wasn't much concerned about them. Apparently he didn't take care of the administration of his domains and his sons even tried to place him under legal guardianship. However, in 1802 he unexpectedly decided to remarry to the low-born and 29 years younger Maria Anna von Baldtauff.

Jan Karel died in Vienna aged 79. His body is buried in the family crypt in Nikolsburg.

Marriages and Issue

In Vienna on 30 January 1764 Karl Johann Baptist married firstly with Maria Christina Josepha (25 April 1738 – 4 March 1788), a daughter of Jan Josef, Count of Thun und Hohenstein and Marie Christine of Hohenzollern-Hechingen. They had eight children, of whom five survive adulthood:

Joseph Johann (18 October 1764 – 1765). Maria Josepha (7 February 1766 – 2 July 1766). Franz Seraph Joseph Carl Johann Nepomuc Quirin (28 April 1767 – 10 July 1854), 8th Prince of Dietrichstein. Maria Theresia Johanna Nepomucena Josepha Juliana (11 August 1768 – 16 September 1822), married firstly on 10 November 1787 to Count Philipp Joseph Kinsky von Wchinitz und Tettau (div. 1788) and secondly on 16 February 1807 to Count Maximilian von Merveldt. Ludowika Josepha (6 December 1769 – 2 June 1771). Johann Baptist Karl (31 March 1772 – 10 March 1852). Moritz Joseph Johann (19 February 1775 – 29 August 1864), 10th Prince of Dietrichstein. Joseph Franz Johann (28 February 1780 – k.a., Regensburg, 7 January 1801).

In St. Michael, Vienna on 23 July 1802, Karl Johann Baptist married secondly with Maria Anna von Baldtauff (6 February 1757 – 25 February 1815), of lower-born origins. They had no children.

Ancestry