AUERSPERG, ANTON ALEXANDER, Count von, 1806-76; an Austrian statesman and poet, more widely known by the noes de plume "Anastasius Grun." lie belonged to an old SintWan family which obtained large estates in Candolit. After studying raw and philosophy in Vienna and Gratz lie traveled over Europe and England, and in 1839 married the countess Maria von Attems. He was offered official position but refused, as he was a prominent liberal and a strong opponent of Metternich and his policy. l le wrote verses while a student, and in 1830 published a small volume., and also a semi political romance. The next year his political reviews appeared and made a great sensation, exciting the government to detect the. writer, who was fined 50 ducats. In 1835. he issued another collection of patriotic verses, and in 1837 collected his earlier writings into one volume, of which nearly 20 editions have been published. In 1848, he
was chosen to the German " Vorparliament," and soon afterwards to the Frankfort national assembly, where he was on the "left center." lie left in disgust before the year ended, in consequence of the murders of Auerswald and Lychnowski. In 1839, he returned to public life, but in 1851 was made a life-member of the Austrian where lie was the author of addresses to the throne. In the diet of Carniola and Styria he was a liberal and the supporter of German ideas. In 1868, he was elected president of the delegates of the Austrian crown lands, but, except the seat in the Ilevrenhaus, he resigned all official positions. Sonic of his speeches, especially those in the confes sional debates of 1868 and 1874, have attained great popularity. Robin Hood (in German) was his last poetical work of consequence.