Johann Anton von Pergen

Johann Anton Graf von Pergen (15 February 1725 Vienna -12 May 1814 Vienna) was a diplomat and statesman of the Habsburg monarchy, serving under four consecutive monarchs for more than fifty years. He was one of the most influential individuals in the reformist administration of Joseph II (1780-1790).

As a minister of state, his accomplishments included the modernization of higher education and the suppression of ecclesiastical influence. He was also responsible for the new police organization which ensured the implementation of Joseph's radical ideas. The police force was centralized but he also developed a secret police that ensured no effective opposition. Though replaced by Joseph Sonnenfels under Leopold VII (1790-1792), he was again in charge of suppressing opposition under Francis II (1792-1835).

Von Pergen's father, Johann Ferdinand Wilhelm von Pergen, was a Justice official with the Government of Lower Austria in Vienna. His mother was Maria Elisabeth (née Baroness Orlick von Laziska). One of his brothers was Johann Joseph von Pergen, Bishop of Mantua (1770–1807). He married Philippine Gabriele, a daughter of the president of the Imperial Chamber Court, Philipp Karl von Groschlag, and former lover of the future emperor, Joseph II when living in Frankfurt am Main, before moving to Vienna. Their son, Joseph von Pergen, was a vice-president of the exchequer. They also had three daughters.

Von Pergen himself led a lavish lifestyle and was a patron of the arts, and in 1782 acquired the Schloss Pottenbrunn whose park he embellished with romantic buildings.

Educated by Jesuits, he then studied law. After graduating in 1747, he became secretary of the imperial embassy in Mainz. He then served at the embassy in the United Kingdom, before resuming his post in Mainz. In 1750 he was assigned to accompany the British minister Richecourt on his diplomatic trip to Germany as a companion. A short time later he was called to Vienna in 1751 and appointed by Maria Theresa (1740-1780) as treasurer to the Archdukes Karl and Leopold (later Leopold VII).

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