One of the radical nationalist leaders of the unsuccessful Hungarian Revolution of 1848, he rose to prominence with Francis Deák (1803–76) in the negotiations leading up to the Ausgleich (Compromise) of 1867. By now a moderate, he served as Hungary’s first Prime Minister (1867–71). From 1871 to 1879 he was Foreign Minister of the Austro‐Hungarian empire, during which time he limited Russian influence in the Balkan States.