ESZTERHAZY, or ESTERILCZY, The name of an ancient noble Hungarian family. Two branches of the family, Zerhazy and Illy6s Iffizy, appear as early as 1288. The latter line became extinct I 838. The first Eszterlirtzy to be come celebrated was .NicuotAs (1582-11;45), Palatine of Hungary, an ardent supporter of the Counter Reformation. Later members of the family are: Pull. IV. (1G35-1713), Prince Eszterlifizy of Gal5nta. As Austrian field marshal, he distinguished himself in the wars against the Turks, especially at Saint Gott hard in 16114, in 1683, and Buda in 168G. He was made Palatine of Hungary in 1681, and had a share in the overthrow ing of (q.v.), and the consolidation of the Hapsburg power in Hungary. He died a Prince of the Empire.—NICHOLAS JOSEPH ( 1714-90), Prince Eszterlifizy of GaIfinta, Count of Forchtenstein, grandson of Paul IV., was Privy Councilor, field-marshal, and several times ambassador. Ile fought bravely in Silesia dur ing the Seven Years' \Var. He was a patron of the arts and sciences and established a famous orchestra at Eisenstadt, among whose members were Pleyel and Haydn.—NrcitobAs IV. (1765
1833), Prince Eszterhazy of Gallinta, grandson of Nicholas Joseph, traveled widely in his youth; then entered the army, rose to of general, and became prominent in diplomatic affairs. Possessed of an inherited love for the arts, he spent an immense fortune on his collections of pictures and engravings, now at the Museum of Vienna. In 1809 Nicholas refused Napoleon's offer of the crown of Hungary. Haydn found in him a most generous patron.—P.kut, AN TON (1786-1866), Prince Eszterhazy of Gal:luta, son of Nicholas IV., was Austrian Ambas sador at Dresden in 1800, at Rome in 1814, and at London from 1815 to 1842. He was Minister near the person of the King in the Hungarian Cabinet of 1848. In 1849 he retired from public life, but was present as Austrian Ambassador at the coronation of Alexander II. at Moscow in 1850. Another prominent member of the family was Moritz, Count Eszterluizy (1807-90), diplo mat and statesman.
ETA, aqii. See .A_KTA.