Thomas Ward

Thomas Ward, Baron Ward of the Austrian Empire (1810–1858) was an English jockey and court favourite, who became finance minister in the Duchy of Lucca.

Early life He was born at Howden, Yorkshire, the son of William Ward and his wife Margaret Marvil. He left school at age 9 and went to work in the stables of Robert Ridsdale.

At Parma, Ward remained chief minister to the duke, and continued to work in the interests of the Austrian government. He was sent as ambassador-extraordinary to Spain in 1848 to negotiate the resumption of diplomatic relations, and was created a knight grand cross of the Order of Charles III. In the same year, on the accession of Franz Joseph I of Austria, he was deputed to congratulate him, and received the Order of the Iron Crown of Austria. On 20 May 1849 he brought about the abdication of his old patron, replaced by his son Charles III, Duke of Parma. He was now sent as minister-plenipotentiary to represent the duchy at Vienna, and the Emperor conferred on him the Austrian title of Baron. they had two sons and two daughters.

His daughter Louise Ward married French sinologist and dream researcher Léon, Marquis d'Hervey de Saint Denys (1822–1892) in 1868, and had a successful career as a painter under the pseudonym Louise Dubreau.