Maximilian Karl Lamoral O'Donnell

Maximilian Karl Lamoral Graf O'Donnell von Tyrconnell (29 October 1812 — 14 July 1895) was an Austrian officer and civil servant who became famous when he helped save the life of Emperor Franz Josef I of Austria. O'Donnell was a descendant of the Irish noble dynasty of O'Donnell of Tyrconnell.

Family background He was born in Goldegg, son of Count Maurice O'Donnell (Moritz Graf O'Donnell) (1780–1843), the 7th generation descendant of Conn Oge O'Donnell, and Christine (4 January 1788 – 19 May 1867), the legitimate daughter of Charles Joseph, Prince de Ligne. He married Franziska Wagner, who was not of noble birth, and the marriage was frowned upon. He died in his home in Salzburg and is buried in the Salzburg Cemetery.

Military career He was educated in Dresden, then joined the military and served in several engagements in Europe, including in Italy in 1848, and Hungary in 1849, resulting in many awards and promotions. He became aide-de-camp to the Emperor Franz Josef I of Austria. He later served as Governor of Lombardy briefly from 18–22 March 1848.

Fame as life-saver The attempt on Franz Joseph I, painted by J.Reiner. O'Donnell is on the left. On 18 February 1853, Maximilian helped save the life of the young Emperor, foiling an assassination attempt by a tailor and former Hussar, János Libényi, a Hungarian nationalist. The Emperor was taking a stroll with Count Maximilian O'Donnell on a bastion inside Vienna. About 1 pm, as he looked over a parapet to review an exercise of troops, Libényi approached and struck the Emperor in the neck from behind with a knife. Even though the Emperor was wounded and bleeding, his collar may have helped save his life. Maximilian Graf O'Donnell struck Libényi down with his sabre. Another witness who happened to be nearby, the butcher Joseph Ettenreich, quickly overwhelmed Libényi. For this deed, he was later elevated to nobility by the Emperor and became Joseph von Ettenreich. Libényi was subsequently put on trial and condemned to death for attempted regicide. He was executed near the Spinnerin am Kreuz in the Favoriten district.

After the unsuccessful attack the Emperor's brother Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph, the later Emperor of Mexico, called upon the royal families of Europe for donations to construct a new church on the site of the attack. The church was to be a votive offering for the rescue of the Emperor. It is located on Ringstraße in the district of Alsergrund close to the University of Vienna, and is known as the Votivkirche.

Titles, honours and awards

Titles Maximilian O'Donnell already held a German Habsburg title of Count, granted to his great-grandfather. However, after successfully rescuing the Emperor, he was additionally honoured and made a Count of the Habsburg Austrian Empire (Reichsgraf), but an error occurred in the Letters Patent, omitting one "n" from the family name, and the Austrian O'Donnells have since then usually used "O'Donell" as the standard version.

Orders and decorations Commander of the Imperial Order of Leopold, 1853 Military Merit Cross Knight of Justice of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem Ascanian duchies: Commander of the House Order of Albert the Bear, 2nd Class, 30 October 1852 Commander of the Order of the Zähringer Lion, 1st Class, 1852 Commander of the Merit Order of Saint Michael, 1850 Commander of the Order of Merit of the Bavarian Crown, 1853 Commander of the Order of Leopold French Empire: Commander of the Legion of Honour Electorate of Hesse: Commander of the Wilhelmsorden, 2nd Class, 26 November 1851 Commander of the Ludwig Order, 1st Class, 18 August 1853 Holy See: Knight of the Supreme Order of Christ Knight of the Order of the Red Eagle, 2nd Class, 12 December 1852 Commander's Cross of the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, 8 March 1853 Knight of the Saxon Order of Merit, 1849 Commander of the Albert Order, 1st Class, 1853 Commander of the Order of Charles III, with Star Maximilian Karl Lamoral O'Donnell Maurice Count O'Donnell Joseph Count O'Donnell Major-General Henry Count O'Donnell Calbhach Dubh O'Donnell, of Oldcastle Colonel Calbhach Ruadh O'Donnell Colonel Manus O'Donnell Conn Oge O'Donnell Conn O'Donnell Calvagh O'Donnell, King of Tír Chonaill Manus O'Donnell, King of Tír Chonaill Hugh Dubh O'Donnell, King of Tír Chonaill Hugh Ruadh O'Donnell, King of Tír Chonaill Niall Garbh O'Donnell, King of Tír Chonaill Turlough an Fiona O'Donnell, King of Tír Chonaill Niall Garbh O'Donnell, King of Tír Chonaill Hugh O'Donnell, King of Tír Chonaill Domhnall Óg Ó Domhnaill, King of Tír Chonaill Donal Mór O'Donnell, King of Tír Chonaill Eignechan O'Donnell, King of Tír Chonaill Donnchadh O'Donnell Donal O'Donnell Hugh O'Donnell Tadg O'Donnell Conn O'Donnell Cathbharr O'Donnell Giollachriosd O'Donnell Cathbharr Domhnaill Eignechan Dálach Muirchertach Ceannfola Arnall Maolduin Ceannfola Garbh Ronan Lughach Fergus Seadnach Fergus Ceanfada Conall Gulban Niall of the Nine Hostages, High King of Ireland