Josip Jelačić

Josip Jelačić von Bužim was born on 16 October 1801 into the House of Jelačić. He rose through the ranks of the Imperial Austrian Army to lieutenant field marshal, a military career that would collide with the continent's most volatile moment. On 23 March 1848, he became Ban of Croatia — governor in all but name — just as revolutions tore through European capitals. While commanding campaigns that year, he abolished serfdom in Croatia, dismantling the feudal order in a single stroke. He held the Ban's post until 19 April 1859 and died a month later, on 20 May.