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He was born in 1809 (Wikipedia says 1807 based on other sources) and he was noted for his tempestuous nature in his youth. He entered military service, stationed near Venice, where he stepped into adulthood. They say the culture of Italy made an impact on him to better himself, learn, and step onto a path better suited for his stature, he left the military.
He couldn't deny his nature entirely he spent lot of his youth and money on frivolities and social life. But wanting to do more, he also learnt, built a library to hisself, and entered politics. First on the county level, but payed mind to international affairs, especially to the Polish events.
Married a daughter of another aristocratic family, with whom he traveled all over Europe. He continued to spend generously but also made steps to modernize his holdings. He built a sugar factory, and created orchards.
His ambition moved him towards politics. He learnt Hungarian, which he spoke broken (it wasn't unusual for aristocracy, they spoke German, Latin, French and other languages like Italian and English), so he could address the legislation in their own mother tongue. He never became great flowery orator, his speeches were short and to the point. By 1838 he was a central figure among those with opposing notions, he was courted by several groups offering membership. On the 1843-44 Diet (assembly) he is one of the leaders and organizer of the aristocratic opposition, vehemently struggling against the politics of Metternich. Played a great role as financier as well in the elections of 1847 and helped Kossuth into the assembly. With his seat in the Upper House he voiced against feudal privileges and the authority of a foreign bureaucracy, he had both liberal and nationalist characteristic, which wasn't unusual in that era.